HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME. (1)

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME.

THEME: GOD AND NEIGHBOUR.

BY: FR. GERALD M. MUSA.

“If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). Jesus summarised the whole Jewish law into the love of God and neighbour. The first part about the love of God was taken from the famous Shema: “Hear O Israel: The Lord your God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

The Shema emphasises the unity of God and the obligation to love the one, God. The second part about the love of neighbour was derived from Leviticus 19:18: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” What makes the instruction of Jesus about love so unique is that he asks his followers not to iscriminate against anyone, irrespective of religion, race, tribe, or social class. No one should be considered a second-class human person because he is of another religion or because he speaks a different language.

No true religion should promote any form of discrimination. Jesus teaches us that our love of God is incomplete unless we love everyone and respect everyone because everyone is made in the image and likeness of God. Can we see the image of God in everyone we meet?

MATTHEW 22.34-40; FRIDAY, 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

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