15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR C

 

1st Reading           Deut. 30:10-14

Resp. Psalm          Ps. 19:7.8.9.10 (R.8a)

2nd Reading         Col. 1:15-20

Gospel                    Luke 10: 25-37

A CHARITABLE HEART MAKES A LAW-ABIDING BEING

Today is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the Word of God invites us to reflect on the question of the Law and our obedience to it. It further calls us to a practical identification of who a neighbour is. The Gospel, from Luke 10: 25-37, is an eye opener in this regard. 

As we reflect on the LAW, we need to take few things into consideration. Let us, first of all, bear in mind that our first reading is from Deuteronomy (Deut. 30:10-14). This is significant because, the LAW which is our focus for this Sunday is also a central theme in Deuteronomy. This book is fashioned around the LAW. Infact, it is the 5th book of the Hebrew Torah (Book of the LAW) in addition to Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.

Secondly, the first reading underscores OBEDIENCE (SHAMA') to God's Voice and KEEPING (SHAMAR) his COMMANDMENTS (TORAH). The first reading is Moses' Third and final Speech to the people. Supposedly, it is being addressed to exiles. The idea of an address to exiles stems from the preceding passage in Deut. 29:28. They have been exiled "into another land". Obedience or careful attention to God's Voice and Keeping or guarding is a sure way for the return of these exiles to God and to their possessions.

We must also pay particular attention to the fact that the HEART and the SOUL play very important roles because the return (SHAWB) of the people is going to be expressed in the change of Heart and Soul. The HEART (LEBAB), in early Hebrew, included the MIND. This is the centrality of the person, the point of decision making. It is not only intellectual; it is also spiritual. Remember that in Genesis 2:7, after God had created man "he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living SOUL (NEPHESH)". The SOUL and the HEART form the total being of the person.  

It thus makes it reflective to assert that a true return to God includes the change of the totality of your being, that which makes you alive. Nothing should be held back. The LAW is not far from us to go searching for, but it is something "in your MOUTH and in your HEART" (Deut. 30:14). 

One interesting thing is that the part of the first reading which states the threefold command, thus, to "OBEY GOD'S VOICE, KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS ENSHRINED IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, AND RETURN...WITH THEIR HEART AND SOUL" are, if you like, fragments of the SHEMA (Deut. 6: 4-9; 11: 13-21; Num. 15: 37-41). What becomes very central in the SHEMA is LOVE ('AHAB). The SHEMA is recited everyday by every Jew. It is something they profess; it is a Jewish Confession of faith. It is written in their Hearts (Jer. 31:31-34). There is actually no excuse of ignorance of the LAW. Aside the everyday recital and the fact that God has put it in your heart, the important things are to OBEY THEM AND KEEP THEM. This is what will aid and guarantee freedom from exile and our return to God and our possessions. 

The Gospel buttresses this with the popular parable of the GOOD SAMARITAN where we identified who a neighbour is. The neighbour is not identified as the person who fell among the robbers, but the Samaritan who helped. The Samaritan becomes a member of God's people, one who inherits eternal life. The LAW on our lips and in our hearts has a purpose directed towards others. We can be good neighbours to others. Obedience to the LAW should facilitate the freedom of others. It has to be expressed in charity. 

May God help us to be heralds to Good Deeds, Hope and be charitable to others. May we also be freed from whatever prevents us from obeying God's Law. May our hearts and our Souls be fruitful grounds for the deposit of charity. 

Amen.

Pax et Bonum