Breaking the Word

15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 10^th July 2022 — Gospel: Lk 10,25-37

Love leads forward, law directs away

Gospel of today prioritizes love over the law. For the law gives guiding principles, but it is love alone that leads to right action. The characters in this narrative depict our own flaws: the lawyer trying to justify himself (10,25.29), the priest and Levite too concerned with their own needs (10,31-32). The surprising hero of the story exhibits genuine love. However, Jesus makes a difference between knowledge and practice. The lawyer has the knowledge of the Scriptures and he proves this by answering Jesus. The approving response of Jesus emphasizes that this love of God and neighbor is not just an abstract feeling. Love is manifested in concrete response and so Jesus asks him to “go and do likewise” and be worthy of eternal life. It is important to talk about eternal life, transcendent life, and life after death, etc. But our focus should be on what we must do while we are here on earth. The lawyer wishes to determine the minimal response to observe the law of love. The Samaritan, despised by many Jews of the day, takes great personal risk to manifest his love. He stopped to care for a person whom he has never seen before. He not only soothed the beaten man’s wounds, but also sheltered him in a care home and provided his present and future needs. Love propels us to act. If we have that love as catalyst then we’ll be guaranteed of an adventurous, positive, and joyful life here and now.

14^th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 9^th July 2022 — Gospel: Mt 10,24-33

Leap Beyond Fear

“Fear not” is thrice spoken by Jesus as he sends out his disciples on a mission (10,26.28.31). Each occurrence is enforced by a reason. In the first, Jesus emboldens them to have complete confidence in proclaiming God’s kingdom. What Jesus has taught them privately must be proclaimed openly. The gospel is not a secret or esoteric message. What has been whispered in the darkness must come into the light and be proclaimed to all. Second reason for fearlessness is the limitation of enemy’s power to hurt. Since the disciples share the fate of their master, they should not fear their inevitable persecution and even martyrdom, because God will not allow their ultimate harm. The last reason for fearlessness touches a tender chord, and discloses a gracious thought of God as Father. The disciples must have a proper fear of God, but also to realize how valuable they are to God. God our Father is imminent in nature and because of that sonship, we are of more value than many sparrows. Just as God watches over every sparrow and numbers every hair on a person’s head, God’s unwavering commitment enables them to trust God for their eternal welfare. Disciples of Jesus, therefore, must live to leap beyond fear.