The word of the Lord seems to express sympathy for the sojourner and those who are less fortunate. The love of the Lord for such people is such that in the Book of Exodus he says that he will hear their cry and the wrath he will pour out on those who take advantage of them will be deadly.
When we commit an injustice, we assume that it is swept under the carpet and will soon be forgotten but the reality is that we will have to face the consequences.
Time and life are in God’s hands and the repercussions may not come immediately. We assume it is all over and forgotten. Sometimes people come with prayer requests for failing businesses and other opportunities and it is only when we ask pardon for sins committed that the blocks are cleared up.
The importance of loving our neighbours as much as ourselves is stressed in today’s readings. Our Lord Jesus declares the greatest commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God and you shall love your neighbour.” Our Lord Jesus was summarising the 10 commandments and the various laws which were over 365 and more than the days in a year.
People were so caught up in observing the various laws that basic precepts of love and tolerance were forgotten and their spirituality was tending towards the selfish.
It is easy to look after our own needs and cares. This is clear when petitions are made for prayers. it is often about our children, finances, jobs, future, sicknesses and about ourselves. We get so sucked into looking after our needs and fail to recognize that many around us are in worse situations.
Our Lord beautifully and tactfully put them all together in simplicity and yet as a challenge. Often, we are tempted to love God and pray to him but we fail to look around and be his hands, feet, voice and have his heart.
God is calling us to shift from selfish living to selfless living. Gazing on the face of God should open our hearts to the suffering of people around us. We need to be sensitive to the needs of our brothers and sisters. We cannot turn away from suffering and go about our way.
We are called to carry God’s love and mercy to a broken world. In that process we are also expected to care for our brothers and sisters according to our capabilities.
Let us seek to have the mind of Christ so that we may have spiritual vision to see Christ in those who are poor and suffering. Let us minister to them as Jesus wants us to.

Prayer: Abba Father, let me live with the heart of Jesus burning within me. Amen.