It is 12th November 2020. We celebrate the memorial of St Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr. He is popularly known as the ‘thief of the soul.’
The readings are from Philemon 7-20; and the Gospel from Luke 17:20-25.
Treating others as Christ treated us is what we all need to aspire to inspire.
There is no need to hate anyone because they have done what we do not approve. It happens in most of our family members, friends, and colleagues that they either have to run away from a person or situation and come to us for some help. We need to render the utmost help not as they deserve but as we wish to reserve for ourselves.
St. Paul proposes convincingly that our relationships need to be viewed with the visions of love, mercy, and forgiveness of Christ. He invited Philemon to accept the run-away slave Onesimus as a brother in Christ. “There is no longer … slave nor free … for all are one in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28). Even though we may not approve of what they have done, we need not diminish our love towards the person for the act that provokes us. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40). The goggles of Christ allow us to see something new in everyone. Our faith in the Lord empowers us to strengthen the others.
The responsorial Psalm praises, “Blessed are they whose help is the God of Jacob.” (Ps.146:5)
The Gospel answers the question put by some to Jesus that when the Kingdom is coming. Jesus teaches us, “For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” Being faithful to the Lord, we become loyal, loving, and forgiving constantly towards us and others. The way we love, forgive and merciful to the other, we fan the fire of hope, peace, justice of the Kingdom of God. None of us have a valid and appropriate reason to hate the other. Let us demolish the mansions of hatred, division, and indifference in every way possible. May the Lord strengthen us to trust others as we believe in ourselves. Have a lovely day. God bless you.