31st B

31st Sunday- B 

Last week one of my priest friends from India called and said, ‘What do you do on your day off?’ I wanted to be funny, so I said, ‘I just mind my own business. Could I do anything for you?’...then within five minutes my mom called and said, “What did you tell him, and he called me here complaining, and by the way, where do you get all your materials?’ 

Once a man who was minding his own business walking on a beach, found a bottle and picked it up and then he opened, there came out Genie wanting to grant him three wishes. The man said, “a million dollars”. He got it and then he wanted a Lamborghini and he wished that he could be irresistible to all women. In an instant, he became a box of chocolates. 

 Christ is the image of an invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him, all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-all things were created through Him and for Him. 

Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate end of all, it’s because He is the beginning. And He gives us the spiritual secret to joy today saying, “Love the Lord your God with all your soul, mind, spirit and strength and love your neighbor as yourself”. And all the law and prophets hang on these two powerful lifegiving commandments. 

These commandments are like two sides of a same coin. We cannot separate one from another. They are so interlinked and connected. Jesus says, “Anyone who says, “Lord, Lord will not enter the kingdom of God but only those who put their faith into practice”.  Faith without action or work is dead.  

There is a story about a French man who wanted to come to Canada. So, he sold all his property and other things and bought a ticket to come to Canada. As he was travelling on a ship, a man noticed that every day while others went to the dining hall for their breakfast, lunch and dinner, this man used to go to a corner and eat cheese and crackers that he brought with him. This went on for many days.  

The man on the last day of those three long months travel approached the man and asked why he was always eating cheese and crackers while everyone else is enjoying good gourmet meal. The man said, “You know what, I always wanted to go to Canada and so, sold my property and other things that only allowed me to buy the ticket and that is why. The man was shocked and looked at him and said, “Don’t you know your meals are also included in your ticket”. Loving God is also included loving your neighbor and vice versa. If we love God and not our neighbor, then our faith is a dead faith. 

Yes, Love is included in all the commandments and laws. Love is the basis of our faith. 

In those days, in the time of Jesus, so many people didn’t know their right hand from their left hand. They didn’t know the love and kindness of God. They didn’t even have that courage to call God, Father. 

It’s because so many religions restrictions and controls. There were so many customs and religious culture that kept people away from the love and kindness of God. They didn’t have the joy in life and there comes Christ who defines everything in the simplest way possible. 

And there comes a scribe who asked Christ the best of all commandments and Jesus says... “Love God and your neighbor” These words shape our faith.  

When a person is in love with God, he cannot deny his neighbor. Then comes the question, who is our neighbor? The one who is in need. St. Ambrose once said, “if anyone knocks at your door at night and shivering in the cold and if you have two shirts one on you and the other in your closet, remember, that one belongs to him”. This is called Christian solidarity, our moral foundation. 

This is my education, this is my money and why should I share with others? It’s because there stands our moral responsibility. There comes our life decision. Ultimately nothing belongs to us, we are blessed to help the one who is in need. 

Neighbor is the one who is in need. You don’t need to go so far to find a neighbor. He is at your home or at your school or at your business, longing to find a little hope. If you share your faith and your blessing, then you can boldly say that you love God and your neighbor” Amen.