“You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan." (Exodus 22: 20).
Sunday 25th October 2020, 30th Week in Ordinary Time.
In the Gospel for this Sunday from Matthew 22: 34 - 40, the Pharisees asked Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus went beyond their narrow standard in His answer: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22: 37 - 40).
In our key Scripture for today from Exodus 22: 20 - 26, we read of the magna carta of love of neighbor: the poor, the weak, the sick, the homeless, the hungry. All these are represented by the immigrants, orphans and widows. God commands: Do not oppress or molest them. To oppress or molest them is to break all the laws in the Decalogue.
If we consider this law oppressive, then God reminds us: "You were once aliens residing in the land of Egypt." Right? What is the incontestable reason for pardoning someone who has offended you? You were forgiven a debt of $10 million. Can't you forgive someone who owes you $500?
Our Father in Heaven, increase our faith, hope and love.
Make us love the immigrants, the orphans and widows as You command us,
so that we may merit what you promise.
Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com
Amen, thanks alot for this.
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