A WORD FOR TODAY 25 AUGUST 2023

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*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*DO MORE THAN SYMPATHIZE*

_"But Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God;”(Ruth 1:16)_

_*The story of Ruth in the scripture is very inspiring considering the sacrifice she had to make when she was not obligated to. She insisted on staying and continuing life with her mother in-law at a time when the best thing would have been to find a new life for herself after she had lost her husband. For whatever reason Ruth decided to remain with Naomi, it was certainly for the sake of love.*_

_Today, the gospel calls us to love God above everything and to love our neighbour as ourselves. The kind of love Jesus is asking of us is one like that which Ruth showed Naomi. It was sympathetic and active. Ruth sympathized with Noami and went ahead to do something about it. That is a very commendable way to love and should be our watchword._

As the psalmist says: _*The Lord keeps faith for ever; executes justice for the oppressed; gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free (Psalms 146:6c‭-‬7)*_ ‬‬‬‬‬

_This description of how God loves should inform how we love. The active sacrifices of the incarnate Jesus is a supreme model of what true love entails. Days like this present an opportunity to ask pertinent questions and examine our love for our neighbour. How do we love and take care of our husbands, wives and children? How do we love strangers and those in need? How do we love our co workers and so on?_

_*Everyone is aware that times have changed, and today’s reality demand that we are careful so that we are not used, cheated or deceived. True, we have to be careful but let us be more careful no to block sympathetic and active love in the name of protecting ourselves. There must be a way to love like Jesus. In fact, todays’ risk makes active sacrificial love more valuable.*_

_Go with courage! Do not be afraid to love! Be sympathetic and sacrificial: love like Ruth._

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile😊and put smiles on people’s face as you work today, awaiting the weekend rest . And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Ruth 1:1, 3–6, 14b–16, 22/Psalm 146:5–6ab, 6c–7, 8–9a, 9bc–10/Matthew 22:34–40

*Watch-Word:* The kind of love Jesus is asking of us is one like that which Ruth showed Naomi.

_*True, we have to be careful but let us be more careful no to block sympathetic and active love in the name of protecting ourselves.*_

(Friday of the Twentieth week in ordinary time.)

*©ï¸ Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*