Love in the time of Covid-19 - and always
LENT 2020 – Day 24
Hos 14, 1-9; Ps 80, 6-c-8a, 8b-9,10-11,14,16b; Mk 12, 28-34
Inscrutable are the ways of the Lord God maker of all things.... Like the people of Israel who lived in the midst of fear and anxiety, we too are in the midst of a great scare; and like them, who thought they were masters of their own destiny, we have for too long lived as though God does not exist – until now when the infinitesimally small corona virus has taught us a lesson in powerlessness.
We'd stumbled when we said “Our God” to the work of our hands; we’re now responding to God’s call to return to Him. Haven’t we realized already that we can do with a little less work, money, power and, above all, pride? We must set our priorities right. We can’t do without prayer, thanksgiving and praise to Him who is our Lord and Master, our Creator and Saviour. For His part, He has promised to heal our faithlessness, continue to love us, and be to us like the dew to Israel.
There are marvellous things in store, only if we stop and listen, dialogue, accept, love... Then we shall blossom. Meanwhile, let’s admit that we’ve been worshipping a fake trinity – Mammon, Bacchus and Cupid. Mind you, like the wife who watches her husband, so is our God watching us, and saying: “The Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God will all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength…. You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Very often we think we won’t understand God’s ways; but if we care to listen, we will. Now is that time to listen. In this lock-down let’s open our hearts and rekindle our relationship with our God and our family – and set the big wide world afire with our love….
God's law not a free-for-all
LENT 2020 – Day 22
Readings: Deut 4, 1.5-9; Ps 147, 12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5, 17-19
Absolute freedom is an impossible dream, for in exercising it one is likely to trample on another’s rights. Hence the need for laws in society: they ensure that people live in harmony. Man-made laws based on natural justice guarantee a healthy balance between rights and duties.
Moses conveyed God’s laws to the people and hoped that they would go in and take possession of the land destined for them. Israel was poised to become a great nation, of wise and understanding people. They were God’s “chosen race”, privileged to have Him so close to them.
God had exhorted his people to pass on His statutes and ordinances from generation to generation. But alas, Israel departed from those righteous laws; inane additions turned them into a caricature. That’s when God intervened in human history by sending down His only Son – not to abolish the law and the prophets but to fulfil them. For instance, Jesus portrayed the Ten Commandments in a new light. Love (of God and neighbour) became the byword.
Very importantly, Jesus urged his disciples to not water down His precepts. This is an eye-opening command for us Christians, particularly for our priests, parents, teachers and leaders in general: we are called to be serious about our Christian vocation; none should take liberties with the law or even just temporise. Aren’t we extra careful to see we don’t infringe the State law? Why, then, are faith and morals a free-for-all?
Today, let’s resolve to love the law of God and soon we will taste true peace and joy!
Forgive, and you'll find love!
Lent 2020 – Day 16
Readings: Mic 7, 14-15, 18-20; Ps 102, 1-4, 9-12; Lk 15, 1-3, 11-32
There are those who hold the Lord in awe and others who disregard Him; there are those who loathe His name and, happily, many who love and adore Him. Negative attitudes stem from ignorance and/or malice, for the simple truth is that the Lord is at once just and merciful.
God forgives our guilt, heals our ills, and redeems our life from the grave. Mind you, these words make sense not in times of the corona virus alone; the Lord crowns us with compassion and love at all times.... We can’t thank Him enough!
Sometimes children think of parents as oppressive, but who can fail to see the reality of parental love in the parable of the Prodigal Son? Both son and father were "prodigal" – the former wasteful, the latter extravagant in love. And the father’s cry, “This your brother was dead and is alive,” only goes to show his concern for his son’s physical and spiritual health.
Let’s rid ourselves of misconceived notions, repent and forgive, and we shall find authentic love. Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6: 2).
#forgive #repent #love #coronavirus #prodigal #negativeattitudes #compassion