Bible Reflections I 04.10.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 27

Readings 

           I - Jonah 1: 1-2 - 2: 1, 10

           II - Lk. 10: 25-37

St. Francis of Assisi, Religious (Memorial)

          

LOVE OF GOD VESTS IN LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR  

                  

The image and likeness of God dwells in every person and in the entire humanity.  Therefore no one can love God and hate the other and vice versa.  Whenever we read the parable of the Good Samaritan, our reason would definitely accuse the Priest and the Levite for their duplicity and debauchery.  We are prone to praise, hail, exalt and appreciate the kindness of the Samaritan, an outcast to the Jews.  Instead of pointing in accusation at the Priest and the Levite, put yourself in their place and examine your reaction and response in a similar situation.  

People tend to walk away from the weeping person, slip away cautiously from the suffering, deliberately detest needy and remain adamantly deaf to the truth and silent to the atrocities done to others.  Having done all these, sit in silence before the Lord in praise, prayer and worship.  Isn’t this pharisaic?  Moved by a loving heart and in all kindness when we render a helping hand to the needy, then can we claim that we love God.  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  Francis of Assisi was from a Nobel wealthy family.  He was the son of a cloth merchant.  Enamored by the love of God, he emptied everything and embraced poverty to the extent of stripping himself off his clothes. From love of God to love of neighbour, St. Francis of Assisi went a step ahead to embrace the entire creation of God in love and friendship to the extent of calling God’s creation as brothers and sisters viz. Mother earth, brother sun, sister moon, brother fire and sister water in his ‘Canticle of creature’. 

 Let us invoke the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, to help us love God in every person so that we may be right in our loving relationship with the Lord.