DIVINE RELATIONSHIP

REFLECTION FOR 15TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – Year C

THEME: DIVINE RELATIONSHIP

R1 Deut 30:10-14

R2 Col 1:15-20

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

In the penny Catechism of the Catholic Church, we read: “God created us to know Him, to love Him, serve Him and to unite with Him at last.” These words make clear the primary intention of our being created; union with God or an eternal relationship. This desire to unite with God has been inherent in every human history, even before the existence of our father in faith (Abraham) even though such move was unclear. From the time of Abraham we started having a clearer view of this divine intention with the people having to make several consultations from witchdoctors and priests, to seek ways to please God and overcome some calamities. Christians today are privileged to have the Bible which contains the word of God and the things we must do to have eternal life. 

In the first reading of today, Moses addresses the people that the law of the Lord which they seek is not far from them; that it is written in their hearts. This gives us a clue of our Christian relationship. We become Christians because we love God and want to have eternal life through His Son. The final end of our Christian journey is to see God face to face. Moses, in the first reading is saying, that if we must come to this reality of seeing God or relating with Him, we must make our hearts pure by keeping his commandments. This commandment is written in our hearts, meaning they are the common things we know around us. Let us therefore set aside from our hearts, bias, prejudice, envy, anger, jealousy, etc.  These will help us get closer to what God wants and thus establish an eternal relationship with him.

According to the first reading, the Word of God is in our mouth and heart. These are two important related symbolisms. The Word of God on the lips means it must be proclaimed and profess. This we do every Sunday and solemnities when we say the creed (I believe in God...). This is the vertical dimension of our faith relationship with God, for, ‘By professing with your lips that Jesus is Lord, you are saved’ (Rom 10:9). This profession of faith is incomplete without coming from the heart. The heart is the centre of love, from the heart flows compassion. If we believe in God, let us be compassionate just as our heavenly Father is (Lk 6:36), Who, not minding our unworthiness sent His Son, out of love to die for us and to bring us salvation.

Compassion makes more meaning when offered to those who do not deserve it. This is the centre of the story of the Good Samaritan. 

There was no formal relation between the Jews and the Samaritan; yet, the Good Samaritan ignored all ethnic barriers just to save the life of the dying Jew. Jesus in the  is challenging us that if we really profess faith in God, if we love Him, then our love should move us to go and extra mile in being compassionate. Our love for God is proven through the love we show to others, even those who do not deserve it.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, the priest and Levite (Jews) saw the man (a Jew) beaten up and left half dead by bandits passed by another road. Possibly, they did this to avoid profaning themselves against their call. They were not considered good for avoiding tending to the man in need or neighbours of the man, except the Samaritan whose act gave him the title, ‘good’. Jesus is therefore warning us against being insensitive to the need of the helpless. Our love for God should push us to consider the flight of the needy and the helpless. There is no reason that justifies our refusal to show love and compassion. Remember, ‘Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me.’(Mt 25:40). 

Dear friends, we can only show we love God by being sensitive to others’ need. It is through love and compassion shown to others that we shall be candidates of heaven; those who will enjoy an eternal relationship with God.  This is the fulfilment of the commandment. 

Rev Fr Chukwuemeka VINCENT Livinus, SMMM