Love and save humanity

 

Saving our brother or sister is a matter of justice.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, September 10th, 2023
Texts: Ezekiel 33:7-9; Psalm 95: 1-2,6-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20 

No one can serve God without heart of love. This is because every service to God is a ministry of love and salvation to humanity. We cannot serve God if we cannot love and save humanity. Hence, St. John says, “If any one says, ‘I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen’.” The service to God is a service to humanity. Today’s readings impress the truth upon our hearts.  
God mandates prophet Ezekiel in today’s first reading to see to the salvation of others. 

God puts prophet Ezekiel under the pain of being charged with sins of those he might fail to speak to. Prophet Ezekiel must speak to the people to save himself. We read, “Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. ... you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. ... and he does not turn from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life.” 

Love is the fulfilment of the law

St. Paul tells us in today’s second reading that love is the fulfilment of the law. Whoever loves cannot fall victim to the law. When we live in love, we escape from evil and the law. Living life of love is being pure and blameless; it is the path of holiness. With love we will do our work well and attain salvation. Hence, Jesus Christ says, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law.” We have done that which law set out to accomplish, which are righteousness and salvation of souls.   

Whoever lives in love does not need law any more, law has no value in their lives. The theme of first reading reoccurs in today’s gospel reading. Love saves and whoever lives in love works to save others. Jesus Christ demands that we do all that is possible to save our brothers and sisters. He says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” 

Saving our brother or sister is a matter of justice

We must have seen that we have tried to save our brother before we leave him to himself. In the words of Jesus: “But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” Jesus impresses on our minds that we owe our brothers salvation. Saving our brother or sister is a matter of justice; it is being just to our brothers or sisters.  

Jesus Christ encourages us that the prayer of whoever works for the salvation of souls wins favour before God. He puts it thus: “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Jesus also tells us the great value in saving our brother. He says, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." We build the body of Christ, praying body. 

Conclusion

In conclusion today’s readings invite us to render service to God by working for the salvation of our neighbours. We cannot claim to serve God when we do not engage in salvation of souls. God mandates prophet Ezekiel in the first reading to call the wicked to repentance by telling them their wrongs. St. Paul, in the second reading, tells us that love fulfils the law, which are righteousness and salvation. Jesus Christ also mandates us in the gospel to do all that is possible to save our brothers. Saving our brothers, we build the body of Christ, the community of prayer.  

Prayer  

O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption, look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters, that those who believe in Christ may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke