Be Kind to the Poor and Needy

Gilderious Khonglah csc.

Readings: Ex 22:21-27; 1 Thes 1:5b-10; Mt 22:34-40

The readings of the day call us to love. The first reading tells us how we are to treat other people, especially the poor, the orphans and the marginalized. The second reading reminds us that the way we live should reveal that we are followers of Jesus Christ. In the gospel Jesus points out that the many laws which were given to shape the lives of people can be summarized in two commandments: Love God and love your neighbour.

Jesus demands that we focus our whole being in loving God. Love of God finds its expression in our love for our neighbour. Our relationship with God must involve commitment, loyalty, and surrender. When I say I love the Lord, then I express it in worship, in the participation of the sacraments and in loving one another.

God expects me to show him that I love him by the way I treat other people specially the poor and the needy. My neighbour is everyone in this world, no matter his/her status, condition, or circumstances. Every person is to be esteemed ever so highly and helped, no matter who he/she is.