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by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
"Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself." (Mathew 22:39)
Love in action is by parting with your money at
this time of Lent. Can you?
The most abused, exploited and manipulated words of God are 'love' and 'love
your neighbor.' Love is what we are made of. Anything more or less is not from
God and not human. "For all the law is fulfilled on one word, even in this. Thou
shall love thy neighbor as thyself" (Galatians 5:14).
The learned lawyer in the Bible wanted to know who is thy neighbor. Jesus told
the story of a good Samaritan who, at his risk, nursed, moneyed, timed, and
labored for a stranger who was robbed, wounded and dumped by the thieves on the
roadside for dying. Supposed to be the saviours, the Levite and scribe, had left
him unnoticed and uncared for. Then Jesus said, "Yes now go and do the same"
(Luke 10:37).
The world we live finds justification for neglect and don’t care of the
challenges, burdens and cry for help. Actually the great lent is for tightening
the belt to feed others. Really God demands from his people in the time of lent,
"I want you to share your food with the hungry and bringing right into your
homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold.
And don’t hide from relatives who need your help" (Isaiah 58:7). Jesus says,
"Let the man with 2 tunics share with him who has none, and let him who has food
do likewise" (Luke 3:11).
Tom and Sara have become unemployed in US at the time of the great lent. They
have no money to pay for mortgage, insurance, food and other financial
commitments. Their consciences didn’t allow them to seek or request any help
from others. Far away, one family in the States known to them had come across
this family. They read from their lips the pain and difficulties that Tom and
Sara have been going through. Without the knowledge of Tom and Sara, the distant
loving family collected the mailing address and posted cash checks for two
months' expenses. Having received the money from unexpected people and time, Tom
and Sara have been bewildered and praised God for the generation of Good
Samarians still at work.
"Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the scriptures:
'Love your neighbor as yourself' (James 2:8).
Jesus, let us love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Let there be less talk and more action. Let the people those who cheat and abuse in the name of love be convinced of their sins and turn back to you. Let them understand the intensity of harm they are inflicting on the psychic of humanity. Let thousands of Good Samaritans blossom from the bosom of our church. All we ask in the name of Jesus. May God bless the family who has helped Tom and Sara. We pray for them with love and care. Amen.
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