30th Sunday – October 26, 2008
Love of god and love of neighbor are two sides of the same coin. We are called to be an expression of self - sacrificial love today
Few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically and mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for 100 mtrs race. At the gun they all started out, not exactly in a dash but with a great desire to run the race to the finishing line and win. All, except one little boy who stumbled on the track, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They all slowed down and looked back. Then they turned around and went back –every one of them. One girl with Down syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better”. Then all nine linked their hands and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stood and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there still telling the story. Why? What matters in life more than just winning for ourselves is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. They call some of these mentally and physically challenged people retarded. But have not they taught us the real meaning of love - self sacrificing love.
God shows us today what real love is.
The First Reading taken from the Book of Exodus instructs the people of the loving relationship that the Israelites ought to have towards those who were under-privileged. The under-privileged were the aliens, the foreigners those who were forced to leave their homes because of circumstances such as wars, plagues or famines. The reason is that once the Israelites themselves where in such a situation. Further, they are reminded by the Lord of their obligation to take care of the needs of the widows and the orphans. The Lord, the book says, is always a support to the underprivileged people and they receive his personal blessing. In the Second Reading, Paul reminds the Thessalonians about his own life as a living example for them so that they may grow in Christ. Paul’s example was to fully live like Christ which is to live fully the life of Christ, by imitating God. It is a call to live in love, as Christ lived and has loved us and gave himself up for us, as a sacrifice to God. Paul acknowledged that through persecution, the Thessalonians persisted in their living faith, receiving the Word of God with joy that was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Paul continued by saying that it is by living one’s faith in Christ we live in harmony with God.
In the Gospel by answering the question of the lawyer about the greatest of the commandments, Jesus responds from his experience of a loving and living relationship with God. To love God and to love the neighbor it looks a very simple concept. Jesus however shows how challenging this is. Love led him to reach out to the outcasts of the day, the tax collectors, lepers, prostitutes, and others. In doing so he did experience the disapproval of others and their rejection of him. We see how at the Last Supper he took a basin of water and washed the feet of his disciples and asked them to do the same. These two commandments of love have not changed. They challenge us all even today and they are just as demanding as they were during the life time of Jesus. This involves acceptance, service and forgiveness.
These are not mere words but his life testifies to that. Look at his crucifixion. Look at the Crucifix. What does it say?
First the crucifixion acts as dramatic sign Jesus’ great love for us.
Second besides being a sign it is an invitation and model to love.
Third besides being a sign and an invitation and model to love, it is also revelation about love