Its been two months since I was reunited with my God. I've been regularly attending masses and about the homily today, I would like to share my reflections. The gospel for the 30th sunday in ordinary time came from Mt 22:34-40:
WHEN THE PHARISEES HEARD THAT JESUS HAD SILENCED THE SADUCEES, THEY GATHERED TOGETHER, AND ONE OF THEM, A SCHOLAR OF THE LAW, TESTED HIM BY ASKING, "TEACHER, WHICH COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW IS THE GREATEST?"
HE SAID TO HIM, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD, WITH ALL YOU HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. THIS IS THE GREATEST AND THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.
"THE SECOND IS LIKE IT: YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. THE WHOLE LAW AND THE PROPHETS DEPEND ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS."
---the gospel of the lord. (PRAISE TO YOU, LORD JESUS CHRIST)
A famous line in law books, "DURA LEX SED LEX" states that "the law maybe harsh but it is still the law." I think this holds true even with the commandment of our God. What God's law asks seems too difficult to uphold and to follow. This I suppose points to a reason why we are all hypocrites. We tried our very best to follow God's commandment but because of its impossibility, following god's rule is tantamount to pretention. and pretending because we believe in something (in this case our faith in god) we tend to be hypocrites. I dont know if this holds true to all, but this is why we became human because we cannot love god with all our heart, soul, and mind. Because if we really religiously follow this rule there is no reason for mistakes and sins to exist.
Moreover, if the first rule is difficult a task, more so is the second rule. Can we really love our neighbor as we love ourselves? Human nature theorists clamor for a self-dependent individual pushing selfishly in maximizing interests and personal gains. Thus, can we really equate love for oneself with love for others?
Law is indeed harsh. But the law stands as is. It is true most especially with God's commandment. Though it is difficult to follow, as a christian and a believer, we must strive and put our very best efforts to try to at least love god with all there is to offer and love our neighbors like we love ourselves. This maybe a path to greatness, and this is the path that god envision for us. To live trying to follow him. With Him, mistakes are unimportant compare to the efforts that we give to mitigate it.
If everyone of us would take this into consideration politics would not be as problematic and complex as it is. If our leaders could act altruistically, no corruption can be allowed. If our decision makers decide not for their personal gains, we might reach a peak of stability and growth. If we can all have "the love God with all our heart, soul and mind and love our neighbor as we love ourselves" principle, I think life will be happy, fruitful and prolific up to a level we never have imagined.
