Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB
In our first reading from Hebrews, we hear of how we
are to live out our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. Central to being a
follower of Jesus Christ is that of love and respect for other people in our
lives.
Today’s reading starts off with a call to hospitality.
We are to treat other people that come into our lives with kindness and
generosity. Hebrews says that we might “unknowingly entertain angels.” Whether
it’s a visitor to our homes, or just a kindness towards those we meet during
our day-to-day activity, we are to treat all people as we would treat our Lord
if we were to meet him during our daily travels.
The letter of Hebrews goes on to talk about being
mindful of those in prison. We don’t necessarily have to go visit those in
prison, but we can pray for those who are in there, whether justly or unjustly,
that they be treated with human dignity and respect. We are not to judge them
for what they may have been charged with, but we pray for their conversion. We
pray that they may come to know the love of Christ in their lives and the gift
of forgiveness that can come only from Jesus Christ. Further we are to pray for those who may have
been unjustly convicted, that they may receive justice. Praying for those in
prison is an act of mercy realizing that those in prison are also children of
God. In Matthew 25:36, we hear our Lord say, I was “in prison and you visited me.” So, we are to treat those in
prison as we would Christ.
Hebrews goes on to talk about the mutual love between
a man and woman in marriage. Each person in this relationship is to love and
respect the other, and to remember the vows they made to each other: to love,
honor and obey, in sickness and in health. These are vows made to each other in
the presence of God. To love your husband or wife is to show that reflection of
love that God has for each of you in that relationship.
Finally, Hebrews goes on to talk about keeping your
life free of love of money. Elsewhere in scripture it says that the “love of
money is the root of all evil.” Money is only a tool for us to live our daily
lives. It is not to become more important than our love of God.
Let us live out our lives by loving God with our whole
mind, heart and soul, and by loving all those that God has place in our live.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteYES, above all we are to love GOD & grow in our love for GOD & love the people He places in our lives.
Money is a useful tool & is to be used for our basic needs, a certain measure of security, some enjoyment & to serve GOD & bless others. We are blessed to bless others, to give to the Church & various charities & to help people in need, beginning with family members, friends, fellow Christians & sometimes even strangers, like homeless people on the street. Money & the things money can buy are not ends in themselves.
I think the hardest part got me of the admonitions in this passage from Hebrews as you explained it would be to refrain from judging others who are actually guilty of committing a crime, especially a violent crime like killing one or more innocent people or rape or any form of physical or sexual abuse. I would definitely have compassion for innocent people unjustly accused & unjustly suffering in prison.