The Task of Keeping the Commandments of God

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Saturday of 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, September 18th, 2021
Texts: 1Tim. 6:13-16; Ps. 100:1-5; Luke 8:4-15
Our Lord Jesus Christ has not left us to be playing or idle till he comes. St. Paul tells us today that we are to keep the commandments of God till he comes. He put it this way: "I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ". As we live here and now, we are to take seriously the ten commandments. Jesus Christ once recommended them to us when He says,  "If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matt. 19:17). He mentions them thus: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mtt. 19:18-19).
Prophet Ezekiel expatiates on the commandments thus: "The upright man is law-abiding and honest; he does not eat on the mountains or raise his eyes to the idols of the House of Israel, does not seduce his neighbour’s wife or sleep with a woman during her periods. He oppresses no one, returns pledges, never steals, gives his own bread to the hungry, his clothes to the naked, never charges usury on loans, takes no interest, abstains from evil, gives honest judgement between man and man, keeps my laws and sincerely respects my observances–such a man is truly upright. It is the Lord who speaks" (Ez. 18:5-9). Jesus reduces the ten commandments to love of God and love of neighbours (Mtt. 22:37-40).
Today's gospel reading calls us to focus on bearing the fruits of God's word. To bear fruits of God's word we need the right disposition towards the Word. We need to be honest, patient and of good heart to bear the fruits of God's word. This is clear when Jesus says, "And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Honesty, patience and good heart are the three qualities that stand out today and proposed for our practice; let us embrace them.

God our Father, grant us the understanding of Your commandments, help us to appreciate them and to keep them. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke