Love must be vertical and horizontal (HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 27th WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II OCTOBER 2023

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 27th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II

Gal.1:6-12; Luke 10:25-37

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, in the first reading of today, St. Paul told the Galatians to reject any message that is opposed to the truth of the Gospel irrespective of who is carrying the message – be it an angel or St. Paul himself. He said: "If anyone proclaims to you a Gospel contrary to what you received. Let that one be accursed!". Hence, a message is not authentic on the basis of its bearer but on account of its content – truth. These declarations are also directed to those who thwart the Gospel, pervert the Gospel, water down the Gospel, disrupt its importance and corrupt it.

Beloved in Christ, as we have been called in our Christian vocation to be ministers of the Gospel, let us remember that we are "useless servants" who simply do what we have been asked to do. Let us preach the Gospel for what it is and not manipulate it for our own interest.

The Gospel reading contains the great commandment of love and the parable of the good Samaritan.

Teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life? (LK 10:25). This is a question asked by people of every generation, nation, culture and language. Everyone acknowledges that out early existence has no meaning without reference to the fullness of that life which is to come. 

Jesus gave consent to the answer provided by the lawyer: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself" (LK 10:27). This implies that the very essence of all religion is Love; and must have God and neighbour as it's objects.

In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus compares the failure of the ministers of God with the unselfishness of the hated Samaritan. Samaritans were considered by Jews as heretics and aliens. One would have expected a Jew to be more sensitive to the needs of the wounded man who most probably was a Jew. Hence, Jesus wanted to stress the unlimited nature of the duty of love using the parable of the good Samaritan.

How he was moved with pity, how he bandaged the wounds, poured oil and wine on it, then put him on his own animal and brought him to the inn, and mandated Inn keeper to take care of him (LK 10:33-34). All these he did out of love and compassion. He did not say at a point my responsibility ends here, I have already spent so much time and money on this man. Let the innkeeper do the rest. Let others too come and help, after all he is not my relative. No! He paid for everything as regularly came to check up on him. "Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend" (Lk 10:35). 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, a love that is unselfish and self-sacrificing the Lord expects us to render to one another. Let us never grow weary of showing love, no matter whom it may be, for Love conquers all things. Our love must be vertical and horizontal: love of God and love of neighbour. Remember the words of Jesus: "Do this, and you will live" LK 10:28).

Have a blessed day!

Fr Remi osj