Call To Love

10-29-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp, V.F.

The readings of this Sunday, especially the first reading and the gospel, call us to the strong commandment of love. Jesus manifested His love by His death on the Cross to save us from sin and give us new life in God. The crisis experience in various parts of the world today is a result of the failure to heed the commands of Jesus to love. It demands the giving of oneself for the sake of the good of another without counting the cost and without any condition. The commandment of love is what Jesus left for us when he says, “I give you a new commandment love one another as I have loved you.” God is love and to see God in the face of our fellow human being is to live the life of love. In this case our actions towards others are motivated by the spirit of God.

The first reading speaks of three categories of people; their cry reaches God with the speed of the light. These are the aliens in foreign land, the widows, and the orphans. Throughout the scripture, God has shown deep concern for these three groups of people who have a special place in His heart. The passage then invites us never to oppress them as they are God’s special people. All those who are vulnerable are protected by God as He is their only source of hope and the love shown to them brings uncountable blessings.

The second reading tells the story of a good example led by people of faith for their followers. It is a challenge for us as Christians to lead a good life that would serve as models for others. The example of good Christian life may be the only Bible those outside the faith community can read. It is based on this that an exemplary life of a Christian is of great value.

The Gospel is an account of the three questions put to Jesus. There was the first question of the payment of taxes, to whom should pay taxes to, is it to God or to Caesar. There was also the question about the resurrection which was asked by the Sadducees and today’s reading presents us with the third question which is asked by a Pharisee, a custodian of the law. He wanted to know which is the greatest commandment of the law. All these questions were meant to trap Jesus to see what facts they would use to accuse him of wrongdoing; it was never asked from a good intention of good will. In today’s question, Jesus was faced with the challenge of expounding the Mosaic law which is known to the people. In response, Jesus told him clearly, love of God and love of neighbor is the greatest commandment. He brought the two aspects into one. Our love of God should directly flow into the love we have for our fellow human being. John’s epistle makes it clear to us that you cannot claim to love God and do not love your neighbor. Our love of God finds true expression in the love of neighbor. When our love of God is not reflected in our love for the human being we encounter and see every day then there is a problem. The neighbor, in this sense, does not mean one who lives close to us but anyone who is in need. The moment we express love of God in action through the people in need, then God takes the glory, and the light of God shines out more clearly.

Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.