25 October, 2020. 30th Sunday, Year A
25 October, 2020. 30th Sunday, Year A
Our Gospel celebrates the great commandment of love. To love our neighbour as God does, prejudices based on race, religion or colour have to go. The revelation at Mount Sinai prompted a sense of fairness towards others, deeper than specific commandments. Jesus demonstrates a life of utterly unselfish loving, and invites us to make that our guide to life. For St Paul, this imitation of Christ is the core of spirituality
1st Reading: Exodus 22:20-26
The Israelites must show fairness in practical matters
The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the children of Israel this:
You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. You shall not abuse any widow or orphan.
If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry; my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans.
If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them.
If you take your neighbour’s cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; for it may be your neighbour’s only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbour cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate.”
Responsorial: Psalm 17:2-4, 47, 51
R./: I love you, Lord, my strength
I love you. Lord, my strength,
my rock, my fortress, my saviour.
My God is the rock where I take refuge;
my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold.
The Lord is worthy of all praise:
when I call I am saved from my foes. (R./)
Long life to the Lord, my rock!
Praised be the God who saves me.
He has given great victories to his king
and shown his love for his anointed. (R./)
2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
The fervour of the Thessalonian converts encouraged other local churches
Our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40
Jesus’ summation of morality as the twofold commandment of love
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Doing justice in love
All our texts today suggest one clear and practical principle: loving God involves doing practical justice in our world. But even our superficially Christian society is full of people who show little respect for love or justice. Political and economic life is ruled by values far from those of the Gospel. Greed, and fierce desire for power and profit can be seen in our daily papers. We are closer to the paganism mentioned in Paul’s letter than we may imagine. Today no less than then, the world is hostile to what Jesus represents, and it is hard for us to take a stand even on important issues of justice and compassion. Our Lord shows love of God and genuine love of the other as two basic aspects of the same call. There can never be a contradiction between the two, even though one may sometimes feel trapped in a situation where a particular law of Church or State seems to create a contradiction.
An approach to the second commandment about love could be by reflecting on how we love ourselves. Love of neighbour becomes virtually impossible in the age of self-hatred in which some fearful, discouraged people can find themselves. Loving the other as oneself only becomes possible if we have, or can grow into, a healthy, sane level of self-appreciation. This is a sound psychological principle, which should be mentioned in our churches even though Christian love transcends all the transient vogues of psychology. Its ideal is the example of Christ himself, with also his commitment to justice for the poor.
Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants who have come to live among us in Ireland. We have moved from a mono-cultural to a multi-cultural, multi-racial society. Today’s readings invite us to reflect on how well we receive these strangers, make them feel at home in our society and in our church. “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” They are distinct from us, and, often, different from us. The saying, “Birds of a feather flock together,” expresses the evident truth that like attracts like. It is tempting to frequent the company of people like ourselves. Yet, the Lord gathered about himself a community of great diversity. Even within the twelve there was to be found a tax-collector and a zealot, men from opposite ends of the political spectrum. In a similar way, the Spirit of the Lord at work in our lives prompts us to connect with those who are different from us, as well as those who are like us. The one we find initially strange can reveal the Lord to us in surprising ways. We pray for a greater openness to the many ways the Lord comes to us in life.
The heart of the matter
Life is becoming increasingly complex. We value people who have the gift of getting beyond the multiple dimensions of an issue so as to zoom in on the heart of the matter. Such people prevent us from missing the wood for the trees. They are good at separating out what really matters from the things that are less important. They encourage us to invest our energies in what is really worthwhile, rather than allowing them to be dissipated by what is not significant.
Jesus was a person who knew how to go to the heart of the matter. On one occasion someone asked him to intervene in a family dispute about inheritance. In his reply, he ignored the concrete issue and, instead, he called on the person who approached him to “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed” (Lk 12:13-15). He saw that the real issue was not the details of the particular case but the greed which underlay the dispute.
This capacity of Jesus to get to the heart of the matter is clear from his response to the question put to him by one of the Pharisees in today’s gospel reading, “Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?” In the time of Jesus there were known to be 613 commandments in the Jewish Law. The potential here to miss the wood for the trees was enormous. Preoccupation with the detail of regulations could result in people ignoring what really matters, like straining out a gnat but swallowing a camel (Mt 23:24). Jesus answered the Pharisee’s question by going straight to the heart of the Jewish law. He was asked if there is one “greatest” commandment, but in reply he named the second greatest commandment as well. For the first commandment, loving the Lord your God with all our heart and soul, is inseparable from the conjoined commandment, of loving my neighbour as myself. For Jesus, what God wants from us above all else is love. There is no genuine love of God unless it finds expression in love of our neighbour. Love of neighbour, in turn, presupposes a healthy self-love, recognising and appreciating myself as fundamentally good, because I am created in the image and likeness of God..
The human side of holiness
No one could disagree with the ideal of loving God and loving one’s neighbour. In preaching this can be a difficulty, in that no one who joins in the Sunday Eucharist would deny this principle. But it’s possible to politely listen and agree, without feeling drawn to any practical conclusion for living. The homilist might offer some examples of how we might better show love of neighbour, but people are not so eager to hear a harangue about sins of omission. Since generic ideals could fail to effectively move people’s conscience, one might focus instead on the second reading.
It is clear that Paul mixed closely with the communities whose lives he shared and the authority of his word seems to have sprung from the quality of his life. His attitudes and work-habits were in tune with the message that he delivered. His commitment to the task was evidenced by the troubles he had to bear, while spreading the good news. There was an intrinsic link between what he said and how he lived. The word spoken gave meaning to the life lived and the quality of the life guaranteed the sincerity of the word. The people of Salonika accepted his message and found that it had a power to change their own outlook on life. Paul names their experience “joy of the Holy Spirit.” They touched the living Spirit of God in the midst of their own lives.
Genuine human concern that touches lives is an effective sacrament of the transcendent love of God. The homilist might look at the mystery of the Christian God from the point of view of God’s transcendence and immanence. The love of God is actually enfleshed in the nitty-gritty of human interpersonal relationships. The authenticity of our religion is guaranteed by the value of our love for real people. One could use the image of the flower that is rooted in the soil; it grows slowly by transforming the elements of the soil in to its own living cells and eventually reaches up to the beauty of the sky with its own form, colour and scent. The one sap enlivens the root, the stalk, the flower and produces the perfume.
A truly Christian life is rooted in the earth and yet reaches up to the mystery of God through living in love. Another possible development might stem from Paul’s notion of the Thessalonians” reputation spreading through the surrounding area. People were drawn to the Christian faith by the way these people were leading their lives. The word of the good news diffused itself quietly through people admiring the way the Christians lived. People can be quick to condemn those who have offbeat values or live a different lifestyle. We can fail to appreciate the faltering efforts others make to cope with the struggles of frail human nature. If we could plumb the depths of meaning in our own personal life histories we might be able to forge more effective link with others. The gift of our humanity, savoured and appreciated, can become mirror and window to the mystery of God for ourselves. It can be more a more effective means of evangelisation than all the hype of religious words that often only confirm the “converted” in their convictions.
Key message:
Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit is the way to keep the commandments of the Lord.
Homily:
Takeaway from first reading:
Short story:
Josephine was working as a Software Engineer in a big IT firm. She was a God fearing person and was devoted to spending her morning time in the presence of the Lord. She could hear the small voice of God guiding her through her daily journey. She worked really hard, maintained good relationships with her colleagues and managers and was liked by all.
One day as she was getting ready for the day, her mother made much ado out of some silly stuff and started screaming at her. Her mother was frustrated about the silly mistakes of her daughter, as she did not have anything else to think about. As Josephine was burning with anger and about to scream back, the small voice of God instructed her – “No, don’t give back answers to Mom”. But Josephine did not pay heed back and shouted back at her, “It’s very difficult for you to be happy anyway….”
Josephine clearly knew that it was not the way God wanted her to handle this conversation. But she was still proud of herself, because she felt that she was right in explaining to her mother that her mother cannot be happy if she does not meditate on the good happenings and keep worrying about the small silly habits of her. She had justified her own actions.
During the day in her office, in one of the meetings, she was cast down by one of her peers. She was deeply disturbed. Suddenly she remembered the way she shouted at her Mother. She analysed how deeply her mother would have been hurt. She could have just listened to the Holy Spirit’s advice.
Today’s first reading explains the “NOT TO DO” items in brief. We may not do the wrong things specified in the reading, but the “NOT TO DO” is not limited to it. It comprises of God’s fairness in our every thought, word and action as we have seen in our story. Josephine did not do any “NOT TO DO” item explicitly mentioned in this list, but it was a “NOT TO DO” item that can occur in her daily life. Let us be careful to avoid all the little “NOT TO DO” items possible in our walk of life.
God expects fairness in all our works in our day to day life.
Takeaway from Responsorial Psalm:
While first reading lists the “NOT TO DOs” and the consequences for doing the same, the Responsorial Psalm lists the saving power of God for those who do not commit the “NOT TO DOs”
Favours of God our Father for those who obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit:
God will be his –
1. Strength
2. Mighty help in all necessities
3. Rock to take refuge, Fortress, Shield
4. Saviour from all foes
5. Giver of great victory
Takeaway from second reading:
The second reading mentions that when we follow the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit, we become an example to people around us. When we diligently do the “TO DOs” as guided by the Holy Spirit, we will receive the joy of the Lord and the peace that surpasseth all understanding will be ours.
When we face violent storms in our life, we will still have a peace in our innermost heart. Since we know we have done everything possible with our hands as guided by the Holy Spirit and we can rest in God’s hands. Our neighbours will wonder on seeing us enjoy peace in the difficult situations of our life.
Takeaway from Gospel reading:
Jesus has provided the formulae to have a completely joyful life (John 15:10)
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
How to relate the commandments of God in our today’s life and follow them:
In the Old Testament, when Almighty God gave the Ten Commandments, He also gave many laws to ensure that they are practically implemented.
In the New Testament, Jesus gave the Two commandments. The way to implement the commandments is actually delivered then and there, through the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit is our real Teacher. He teaches us gently, the way God wants us to lead our life.
Never disobey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, because it’s all for our good only. If we disobey now, we will have to repent later. There is no one who cares so much for us like the Holy Spirit.
Let’s think about all the saints of our Church. Where did the saints get their guidance from? Was it not the silent voice guiding them? There are many saints who had visions of Jesus, Mother Mary, Saints, Angels… But all these visions did not last for long. Their constant companion was God who was living in their heart as the Holy Spirit.
The practical guidance to obey the commandments of God is provided directly by the Holy Spirit, as and when it’s required.
When we follow the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit, our joy will be complete.
Tips to follow God’s commandments perfectly:
1. Holy Spirit gently tells us to ‘TO DO’ a task or ‘NOT TO DO’ a task. They are the practical steps to follow the commandments perfectly.
2. What a great gift it is to have our God as our Father and Teacher. Jesus was not feeling it’s good enough, if He teaches the people of His time. He knew that He needs to live in us and preach to us individually, according to our situation. Hence He has sent Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Listen to His silent voice, which you alone can hear.
3. More than the troubles caused by others, our own faults have the power to make us worried. Hence we can be diligent in obeying the silent voice.
4. Jesus has said, “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask of Him”. So please diligently pray to receive the Holy Spirit.
The guiding tool to obey the commandments of the Lord is the “NOT TO DO” and “TO DO” voice of the Holy Spirit.
My take with today’s Gospel is that we have to love God and neighbour. What is amiss in us almost all the time is that we do not love unconditionally. You will hear someone say that I love X because of this or that. Yet God sent His son to suffer and bring us back to God NOT that we deserved it. His love is unconditional; so should be our love. Hence Matthew 5:44-45; 1 John 4:19-21. He instructed us to love our enemies; and the latter says we can not pretend to love the God whom we don’t see when we don’t love the neighbour whom we see.