Today is the 17th Sunday after Pentecost. We have inspiring readings which I would love to share with you. I always give justice to the word when I prepare and write my homily.
The epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians reminds us of our calling. Paul says, “Beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called.” It is an urgent message that “walking” in this passage means to conduct ourselves according to our calling as adopted children of God. Hence, all we do in relation to our fellowmen must always be an expression of our unconditional love, bearing with one another in love for God, to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Moreover, St. Paul urges us to be “one,” describing the realities of the visible body of the Church that comes from one God, in three persons. How do we “walk” worthy of our calling?
When we know how to humble and deny ourselves, we begin to live and grow in unity. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is at work sanctifying us to bring new life in Christ to our souls. When this happens in our hearts more, we can reflect on a better picture of oneness and peace with God and others.
The gospel today narrates to us about a doctor of the law who asked Jesus, “Master, which is the great commandment of the law?” Jesus responded citing Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength,” as the greatest commandment, and He added, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” from Leviticus 19:18. It is a direct answer from the bible, it means that Jesus knew so well the content of the Scriptures.
There are three important reflection points, I need to mention.
First, I believe that Jesus presents logical reason that loving God is connected inseparably to loving other people. It is an undeniable path to manifest our love for God through which we love other people. St. John, the evangelist, says, “If anyone says he loves God but hates his brother is a liar.” (1 Jn 4:20)
It is a continuous challenge that we often encounter diverse people, who are different from ourselves, which is a great test to fulfill this greatest commandment. Jesus does not only command us to love others but to love others as we love our own selves.
Secondly, all our work has the potential to serve and therefore love our neighbors. Thus, we take the risks to make sure that all our actions are geared towards the fulfillment of God’s greatest command, “love your neighbor as yourself,” with the same measure of loving Him.
Thirdly, it is our commitment to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength in all that we do, through a relationship fully lived out in the practice of our Christian faith. Our faith should be evident in the way we live our lives, the way we conduct ourselves, the way we function on the job and the way we deal with family and friends.
Lastly, the intriguing question of Jesus to the Pharisees, “What think you of Christ, whose son is He?” It was amazing for the Jews that they perfectly knew Jesus from the scriptures that He is the Christ and the Messiah, the deliverer of Israel, who was promised to them that He would come and lead Israel to a glorious new time of peace, prosperity and safety. They believed that Jesus was the “Son of David.” They knew the record of the coming Messiah, but they did not recognize Jesus. The Jews were well-versed in the Scripture, but they did not know the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our fidelity to embrace God’s greatest commandment is great wisdom, but accepting Jesus as a Christ or the Anointed One and the Messiah is life-changing; hence, we must live-out our faith by saying, “I Believe.”
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
