HOMILY OF FRIDAY IN THE 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Ruth 1:1,3-6,14-16,22, Matthew 22:34-40
THEME: LOVE AND EMPATHY
Those who truly love themselves must know how to love others. Those individuals who possess human hearts, who have experienced the ups and downs of life, are the ones capable of empathising with and understanding the suffering of others. If we know how life bites, we will see the necessity of giving life to others.
Observing Naomi’s situation, who endured the loss of her husband and two sons, Ruth, her daughter-in-law, made the decision to remain by her side, even though her own husband had passed away. This contrasted with Orpah, who returned to her homeland. She was never a gold digger. She saw a need to serve and made it a life mission.
More so, we learn from the gospel, that the greatest of all commandments is loving God and our neighbour as ourselves. If we put ourselves in the shoes of others, we will know how to relate with them in love. What is happening to others can happen to us at any time. Hence, the love we show to others is the same love we show to ourselves.
May we understand the love of God and may the love we have enjoyed move us to bless others with our lives. Amen.
