Theme:
Observing the Laws of God
Two missionaries were
sent into a remote area for evangelization. They go out every day to preach to
people on the streets. They shared their experiences together and went along
well. After some time, one started getting jealous of the other because he
attracted more followers and got more converts. This began affecting their
relationship and mission negatively. Soon, the jealous one grew much hatred for
the other that he would not discuss anything with him again. Yet, the jealous
missionary was very meticulous in his mission work which he performed with much
devotion and piety. He would preach, pray, sing and exhort like a perfect
missionary but he would record no success.
One day, the other
missionary fell ill and begged the jealous missionary to help him buy some
medications but he refused because he wouldn’t want to miss a prayer meeting
beginning in the next few minutes. Later at night, he also begged the jealous
missionary to let him know when it will be 5am the next morning and he
accepted. At 5am the next day, the jealous missionary wrote on a piece of paper
“It is 5am” and dropped it beside the other missionary’s pillow and went for
morning prayer because he could not afford to break the silence before
communing with God.
Beloved friends, today
we see this condemnable attitude of the jealous missionary in the way we
practice our Christianity and observe the laws of God. Most of us have a very
dark side we try to cover with our external religious observances and rituals
instead of working to correct them. Others obey the letters of the law without applying
the spirit of the law. Some use religious observances as excuses to be wicked
to others or to be insensitive to other people’s plights, etc. In this age, there are more Christians than
ever, yet people still act like those who have never known God. More Churches
erupt daily but more styles of criminal activities evolve as well. There is no
reconciliation between our faith and our actions. What could be the reason for
this?
Nevertheless, our problem is not taking notice of the laws and customs
neither is it in observing them but in observing them correctly. That is why
Jesus summarizes the entire law into love: love of God and love of neighbour.
To truly observe the law means to truly love God who is the lawgiver and to
truly love God means to truly love our neighbour who is created in the image
and likeness of God and is the God we see.
That is why in the second reading (James 1:17-18,21-22,27), St. James advices
us to practice “pure and unspoilt
religion in the eyes of God our Father” which is “coming to the help of orphans and widows
when they need it, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.” As
Christians, we can examine how far we keep the law by knowing how far we come to
the help of orphans, widows and those in need when they need our help and by
knowing how far we keep ourselves uncontaminated by the world. That is what the
psalmist answered when he asked “Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent?”
Therefore, let us not be like the Pharisees in the gospel
reading who will keep all external observances but habour evil and all forms of
impurity in their hearts. Let us not be like the missionary who is faithful to his
Church duties but has no love in his heart. Instead let ours heart be filled
with love, compassion, forgiveness, charity, etc instead of avarice, murder,
fornication, etc. As we practice our religious observances and duties, let us endeavour
to reach out to those who need our help and let them know we have really
encountered God in our worship for our actions portray our level of faith. God
loves you.
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Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking.