ON THE STRENGTH OF YOUR WORD, LORD: YES, WE CAN!

Through Moses, God says to us, ‘For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it’ (cf Dt 30:10-14). The answer that Our Blessed Lord gives to the lawyer in reply to the question, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ demonstrates God’s consistency in teaching us about that which matters most, that which counts, the most important thing. It is love (cf Lk 10:25-37)

Beloved people of God, on the strength of his word, yes, we can love God and love one another. Love is one language that every creature, unless dead, is capable of understanding, especially when it is demonstrated in practical ways. We can all go the extra mile for love – love of God and our neighbour. We can all do the fundamental things – namely – be good in ourselves; be kind and loving to one another. The parable of the Good Samaritan as we have it in the gospel of St Luke explains love expressed in practical ways. Love that goes this extra mile through kindness to our neighbour, indeed to any creature of God, becomes charity. It is also a proof of our love for God. 

We pray to recognise Jesus Christ who is Love, as the ‘image of the invisible God on the face of our neighbour…for by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things created were through him and for him…For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…’ (cf Col 1:15-20).          Fr. Ted