May the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit.
It is 20th August 2021. We celebrate the memorial of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the doctor of the church.
We reflect on Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22 and the Gospel of Matthew 22:36-40.
When we are good, kind, and gentle in relating with the other person no matter what the relationship would be, no one is going to move out of such a loving relationship.
At times we hear tons of stories about the tensions, misunderstanding and lack of respect between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Yet, there are also a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who are good friends,
The display of the loving relationship between Naomi and Ruth is indeed an example of contemporary in-laws. Even though Ruth was from another cultural and spiritual background, she was able to integrate herself just because of the way Naomi treated her. She wanted her to return to her father’s house, yet she persisted staying with Naomi. The affection of Naomi was so magnetic and genuine, Ruth ended up saying: “Wherever you go I will go; your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God too.” These two women are the examples for
The action speaks louder than words. Constant sharing of love and goodness consumes grief and sadness in any relationship. Human love is so powerful to show the unfathomable love of God.
In the Gospel, Jesus stresses the importance of the love of God and neighbour. Most of us are happy loving God just like the lawyer who asked the question about loving God. But Jesus underlines the need for loving our neighbour completes the love of God. We need to love God within the ambience of the other. Leaving the other out conveniently under the pretext of loving God is not the expression of sincere love of God. To comprehend the Law and the Prophets, we need to love God and neighbour in a proportion that one does not infringe the other.
May the Lord grant us the courage to love the other as we desire loving God. God bless you.