THIRD WEEK OF LENT
Hosea 14:2-20
Mark 12:28-34
LOVE, LOVE AND LOVE
The word love is very prominent in christian vocabulary. It is one of the words that appears many times in the bible, both in the Old and New Testament. The creation of man was out of love, the coming of Jesus to our world was out of love and the entire life of Jesus here on earth was out of love. Love is not just a word, but an expression of God himself.
In the gospel reading of today, Jesus made us to understand that though he had given us laws to know what and what not to do, love is the central force of all the laws. Without love, there is no life. One who loves does not sin. Sin is as a result of lack of love for God and our neighbours. The scribe who came to Jesus today wanted to know the greatest commandment in the law, but Jesus was looking at the overall human relationship.
Ou first duty as Christians is to love God, secondly, to love our neighbours. St Paul, telling us what love is in 1 Cor 13:4-8, says that love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth. Love is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. Love never comes to an end. St Peter also tells us to keep fervent in our love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8) Love is the answer.
Lord help me to love. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP
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