30th Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Justin Adiele

Theme: “LOVE WITHOUT BORDERS”

INTRODUCTION

The theme of love cannot be overemphasized in human existence and must continue to be preached until every religion, every state and every person embraces love as the highest form and code of existence. The theme and principle of love has no religious or national borders, it is like the blood that runs and should run through the veins of every living man or woman. So, ask your neighbor: does love run through your veins? Does love run through your heart/thought and actions? Does love run through your business operations? Does love run through your faith or belief system no matter your religious inclination? Does love run through your family and neighbourhood? Love should run through life without borders. Little wonder Henry Miller affirmed that; “The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.”

THE FIRST READING (EX. 22: 21–27)

In the first reading, Moses thought the Israelites that the theme and practice of love crosses family and national borders to strangers. You shall not wrong, oppress, or afflict yourself, the stranger, the widow, the orphan, or the poor. Love without borders therefore demands that you should do right, help and soothe your brother, the stranger, the widow, the orphan and yourself as well; because if you wrong/afflict yourself it can still affect many around you.

THE SECOND READING (1THESS. 1: 5–10)

In the second reading, St. Paul who brought the gospel of Christ’s love to the borders of the Thessalonians relished the great and whole hearted welcome he received from the Thessalonians. They welcomed him and the gospel message of Christ which centers on love. They welcomed it with joy, not as something strange to their life and beliefs, but as something worthy of imitating. Love without borders here calls us to be more welcoming or hospitable towards one another irrespective of race, color or creed.

THE GOSPEL READING (MT. 22: 34–40)

In the gospel reading, our Lord Jesus Christ declared love as the greatest commandment or law; and the pivot of all other laws/commandments. Jesus emphasized love expressed with respect towards God and towards our neighbours. Love without borders here again cuts across divine and human lines/borders and never limited to one. Man is by default selfish and desiring every good and best treatment for himself. Love without borders here demands us to equally desire and look out for the good and best treatment of God and our neighbours.

CONCLUSION

You are as great and commended as the kind and loving deeds you extended to God and your neighbor. You are as little and despised as the kind and loving deeds you neglected or refused to do for God and your neighbour. God loves you so much to die for you; how much do you love him? God is so patient, merciful and generous with you; how much are you patient, merciful and generous with God and your neighbour? Victor Hugo once said that; “The supreme happiness of life consists in the conviction that one is loved.” And I add that; “everyone deserves to have such feeling around you.”

Happy Sunday

Fr. Justin.