Reflection for
Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time Year I
(Col 3:12-17; Lk
6:27-38)
The dressing we put on says
something about our hidden personality. Also, the colour combinations we
exhibit often reflect something of our state of mind. Now, St Paul proposes a
dress code for us today as we continue to reflect on the letter to the
Colossians. This clothing will
reflect our hidden life in Christ Jesus: “Put on, as God’s chosen ones holy and
beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience...forgiving
each other.” These virtues are to be worn as clothes in our hearts. There is
still a ticker cloth to put on above these ones: “And over all these put on
love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Love is the outer coat that
protects the other virtues. Together they keep the soul secure for salvation. But
the enemy targets to strip us of this most important outer coat of love so that
it will be easy for us to lose the other virtues. Without these clothes of love
and righteousness, our hearts will be exposed to the cold wind of hate and sin.
Nevertheless, the word of Christ is the belt that fastens these clothes to
prevent them from ever falling off. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts...let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
Hence St Paul advises that Jesus
must be the reason for our every action. “And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him.” In this way our garments of righteousness will be secure, and we
will be protected from our salvation enemies. Thus, our words and actions
cannot be controlled from outside by others.
That is why Jesus declares, “Love
your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray
for those who abuse you.” For whoever is in Christ Jesus, their love cannot be
diminished by the hate of others. And there is no space for hate or revenge in
his heart since the love of Christ urges him on (cf. 2Cor 5:14). Our good will
and charity must be available to all since our garments of righteousness are
secure. “And your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High;
for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your
Father is merciful.”
Fr Jude C. Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Ss Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Thursday September 12, 2019.
