Reflection/Homily: Fifteenth (15th) Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C

Theme: Imitating Jesus, the Exemplary Lawgiver and the Ideal Good Samaritan 

The existence of law is necessary for the sustenance of peace and order in a given society. A good interpretation and understanding of the law is also necessary for the observance of the law. While civil laws are confined to geographical territories, divine laws transcend the limitations of geography or religion. In the first reading (Deut. 30:10-14) Moses addresses the issue of interpreting divine laws for proper understanding and observance. He made the Israelites understand that in divine laws, God gives, interprets and executes the law and so he urged them to obey the laws of God he had communicated to them. The language of divine laws is one anybody can understand such that one does not need an interpreter. They are clear and simple since God has written them in human hearts in a way that all men will understand. 

Reflection/Homily: Fifteenth (15th) Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C (July 14 2013)

Reflection/Homily: Fifteenth (15^th) Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C (July 14 2013)

Theme: The Exemplary Lawmaker

One of the things necessary for the progress of any given society or community of persons is the existence of law. Law is believed to be a system of rules and regulations guiding a society or a group of people. For proper application of the law, a proper interpretation of the law by experts and proper understanding of the law by the subjects of the law are required. That is why in a democratic society, there are those who make the law (Legislature), those who interpret the law (Judiciary) and those who execute the law (executive). Since every society is a community of persons affiliated to a divine authority who is also a lawmaker, Christians believe that God is the maker of divine laws. These divine laws are believed to be commandments given by God for the regulation of all men and they transcend the limitations of geography or religion. 

In the first reading (Deut. 30:10-14) Moses addresses the issue of interpreting these divine laws for proper understanding and application. He makes the Israelites understand that in divine laws, God gives, interprets and executes the law. He urges them to obey the laws he has communicated to them. The function of human agents is to communicate and disseminate the message of the law. The language of divine laws is one anybody can understand such that one does not need an interpreter. They are clear and simple. The interpretations are found in the dictates of our consciences since it is generally believed that the conscience is the voice of God in us.