Obey the Voice of God

 Reflection on Today’s Readings, 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C, July 13th, 2025
Texts: Deut. 30:10-14; Psalm 69:14,17,30-31,33-34,36-37; Col. 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37 

The question today is this: What reason do I have not obey the voice of God and keep His commandments and statues? Is it because it is hard or far off? Moses answers, "For this commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.” He adds, “But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.”   

By his word Moses shows that the word of God could be difficult to keep when it’s out of reach. However, he affirms that the word of God is not out of reach; the word of God is always within our reach. We could always know God if we want to, we could always hear His word if we want to. The word of God is always near us but we may be far from it. 

Apostle Paul, in today’s second reading, reminds us that God’s word is not only near us but live with us. He is visible to us. He says, “Christ  Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation”. He is the Christ. As we listen to or read the gospel of Christ, we listen to or read the word of God. 

Apostle Paul emphasises that every thing about God can be known in Jesus Christ. He puts it thus: “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”  

In the words of Jesus Christ: “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:7). He adds, “Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work" (John 14:10).
We learn in today’s gospel reading that the commandment of God is just about

Loving God with our whole heart, soul and strength and our neighbours as ourselves. Loving God in such a manner involves putting all our trust in Him alone, hoping in Him alone. We love our neighbours by showing them mercy unconditionally. We help whomever without conditions, not minding whether he is a friend or enemy. What inspires our actions is being in need.