Our foundation is the Holy Gospel of Jesus, the Son of God.
At every Holy Mass, the Celebrant reminds us of the Commandments of Jesus.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
— St. Matthew 22:37
This is our love of God — expressed through worship, prayer, thanksgiving, obedience and our offering to God.
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
— St. Matthew 22:39
And Jesus said:
“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
— St. Matthew 22:40
These two Commandments are therefore distinct, yet inseparable.
Our Offering to God is an expression of our love for God.
Our Works of Mercy are an expression of our love for our neighbour.
DO WE REALLY PAY ATTENTION?
At every Holy Mass, the Celebrant reminds us:
“Love thy neighbour as thyself.”
But do we, as a congregation, really pay attention to the Celebrant’s words?
If we do, then we must ask ourselves a more searching question:
What has been our response to that Commandment of Jesus during the following week?
A Christian living under the pressures of work, family responsibilities and the demands of daily life may not have unlimited time.
Christian love does not require us to abandon our responsibilities. It calls us to use the time, talents and resources God has given us to help others as well.
The Holy Gospel gives us practical ways to put our faith into action.
To help us self-analyse and assess ourselves, I have listed some parameters to help us through our sojourn on earth.
- I WAS AN HUNGRY
“…and ye gave me meat.”
— St. Matthew 25:35
We may be busy with work and unable to personally prepare or distribute food. But we can still help: contribute to feeding programmes, provide a meal, buy food for someone in need, or notice the person who is hungry.
Our question:
Amidst the pressures of my daily life, what can I do to help someone who is hungry?
- I WAS THIRSTY
“…and ye gave me drink.”
— St. Matthew 25:35
A busy Christian can still respond. We can provide drinking water, contribute towards water facilities, help someone obtain water, or support a Parish initiative providing clean drinking water.
Even a small act, done consistently, is a response to Jesus.
Our question:
Have I made room in my busy life to help someone with this basic need?
- I WAS A STRANGER
“…and ye took me in.”
— St. Matthew 25:35
Work can consume our time, but hospitality does not always require hours.
A telephone call, a welcoming word, practical guidance, an introduction, or helping someone find the assistance they need can make a stranger feel that he is not alone.
Our question:
In the midst of my busy life, have I noticed someone who needs help, friendship or support?
- I WAS NAKED
“…and ye clothed me.”
— St. Matthew 25:36
A working Christian may not have time to personally distribute clothing.
But we can set aside good clothing, purchase essential items, contribute to a Parish collection, or provide financial support.
Our question:
Do I have something I can share with someone who lacks the necessities of life?
- I WAS SICK
“…and ye visited me.”
— St. Matthew 25:36
This can be difficult for those working long hours. Yet caring for the sick does not always require a great deal of time.
A short visit, a telephone call, a message, sending food, helping with an appointment, arranging transport, or asking someone else to visit can all be expressions of Christian love.
Our question:
Even when I cannot give much time, have I given some care?
- I WAS IN PRISON
“…and ye came unto me.”
— St. Matthew 25:36
Some people are confined by imprisonment; others are effectively confined to their homes because of age, immobility or isolation.
A busy Christian can telephone, arrange a visit, send necessities, help with transport, arrange assistance, or simply make sure that such a person is not forgotten.
Our question:
Who is isolated whom I could remember, even within the pressures of my own life?
- MISSIONARY SUPPORT
Jesus commanded:
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
— St. Mark 16:15
Not every Christian can leave his employment and become a missionary.
But every Christian can support, give and encourage those who carry the Gospel to other parts.
A regular contribution, however modest, can become significant when many Christians participate.
Our question:
While I pursue my own responsibilities, am I also helping someone else take the Gospel to others?
OFFERING TO GOD AND WORKS OF MERCY
There is a great difference between the two.
OUR OFFERING TO GOD
Our offering is an act of worship, thanksgiving and love towards God.
It is what we deliberately give to God from what He has entrusted to us, and it supports the worship and continuing work of His Church.
OUR WORKS OF MERCY
Works of Mercy are our practical response to the Commandment:
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
They are expressed through time, attention, service, compassion and material help.
Therefore:
OFFERING TO GOD — What do I give to God?
WORKS OF MERCY — What do I do for my neighbour?
They are not alternatives.
A Christian should not imagine that making a financial offering to the Church removes the responsibility to help a neighbour in need.
Nor should personal acts of kindness be regarded as a substitute for our duty to support the worship and work of the Church.
They are two different expressions of Christian obedience.
THE GOSPEL IN ACTION IS A BAROMETER OF THE SOUL THROUGH THE WEEK
The Christian life is not a choice between earning a living and serving our neighbour.
It is about making our daily lives, our work and our resources instruments of Christian service.
We may be busy.
We may have limited time.
We may have limited resources.
But we are never without an opportunity to love our neighbour.
The question is therefore not merely:
“What did I hear at Holy Mass?”
It is:
“What did I do with what I heard?”
Have you found your personal answer to the Celebrant’s call at every Holy Mass:
“LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF”?
GOD BLESS
Cecil K. Dewars