HOMILY, THURSDAY, 9TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
2Timothy 2:8:15, Gospel Mark 12:28b-34
Without perfect love, no one can truly suffer for the sake of others. Unless we truly love God, we cannot pass through the rigours of preaching the gospel of love to others.
We would surely withhold our services, our kindness and charity towards others as long as we don’t rate their salvation as paramount in our scheme of things. It is love that helps us to think beyond ourselves and look beyond our personal preferences. We should equally remember that denying others is denying God.
“Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect that they also may obtain the salvation which in Christ Jesus goes with eternal glory.”[2Tim. 2:10]
“The first is, ‘hear O Israel: The Lord God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’”[Mark 12: 29-31]
However, lack of love for ourselves will surely affect how we express love for others. Oftentimes, our choices in life do not show that we actually love ourselves.
When we know what love is, we would show it to ourselves. And when we want to be a member of God’s kingdom, we will make every effort despise the thorns, to show the love for others.
PRAYER
O Lord my Eternal Love, help me to love you in truth and in spirit. May I cherish your love for me, that I may in turn love my neighbour according to your will. Make pure my love that I may be a true member of your household. Thy kingdom come.
