DAILY HOMILIES #love your neighbour as yourself

As simple as it sounds, loving our neighbours as ourselves is a sacrifice. When we love others, they respond with hatred. They take advantage of us when we are kind, sincere and open. If you expect people to appreciate you for living a righteous life, love you for loving them, or even reciprocate your kindness, you are wasting time. Whatever good you do for others, know that you do it for God.

“Rivers don’t drink their water; trees do not eat their fruit; the sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is… life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.”

In all three synoptic Gospels, when Jesus was asked about the first commandment, He immediately added: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31, Cf. Matthew 22:36). In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus summed both commandments in one sentence: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

As Jesus was hated by so many, anyone who wants to follow Christ’s footsteps should prepare to have many enemies. Do not be a people-pleaser, or you will compromise your Christian values. Love your neighbour as yourself, but at the same time, don’t be afraid of losing friends if such friendship opposes your relationship with God.

Ezekiel’s prophecy of the dry bones shows us that there can be dead cases as far as our life is concerned. We can always change; there is always room for repentance. We can never be too old to start learning again. Why is it that it can never be too late for God? His steadfast love never ceases; His mercies endure forever. God’s mercies are new every morning. As we often sing: “Great is thy faithfulness, O Lord. Great is thy faithfulness.”

Once upon a time, a rich young man asked Jesus about the secret of inheriting eternal life. Ultimately, Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor after which, he could return to follow Jesus. It is interesting to note that this group of believers literally kept this instruction, they sold their possessions, brought them together and were united in one heart and soul.