Cathedral Homilies - November 03 (Fr. Viel)

Summary

This homily reflects on the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, focusing on the greatest commandments: to love God and love our neighbor. Drawing from the Gospel story of the scribe who asks Jesus about the greatest commandment, the sermon explores how these two commands surpass all sacrifices and rituals. The speaker emphasizes the importance of living out these values daily through small, humble acts of kindness and service, citing the example of St. Martin de Porres. The message calls for a deeper, more practical expression of love in everyday life, both for God and for others.

Takeaways

• 😀 Loving God and loving our neighbor are the greatest commandments, according to Jesus' response to the scribe in the gospel.
• 😀 The scribe, an expert in the law, sought verification from Jesus about the greatest commandment, highlighting the importance of understanding God's laws.
• 😀 Jesus' answer underscores that love for God and others surpasses all sacrifices and burnt offerings.
• 😀 Loving God is reflected in our daily practices, like prayer, worship, and devotion, which are essential in a Filipino Catholic's life.
• 😀 Loving our neighbor means more than just words; it requires tangible actions, such as showing kindness, compassion, and respect.
• 😀 The challenge is to continue valuing and expressing love for God and neighbor, especially in a world where kindness may sometimes seem rare.
• 😀 St. Martin de Porres exemplified loving God and neighbor through simple yet noble acts, despite not being a priest or a high-ranking member of the church.
• 😀 The image of St. Martin de Porres serves as a reminder that ordinary acts of charity, such as helping the sick and feeding the hungry, are powerful expressions of love.
• 😀 We are encouraged to reflect on how we can integrate love for God and neighbor into our daily routines, whether at work, at home, or in our communities.
• 😀 Love for God and neighbor is not dependent on extraordinary actions, but in faithfully fulfilling ordinary duties with a heart of love.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the homily?

The central theme of the homily is the importance of loving God and loving our neighbor, as the greatest commandments in Christian life. The homily emphasizes that these acts of love should not just be grand gestures but embedded in the simple, everyday actions of our lives.

Who does the preacher focus on in this homily?

The preacher focuses on the scribe from the Gospel who asked Jesus about the greatest commandment, as well as St. Martin de Porres, using his life as an example of how loving God and neighbor can be expressed through humble acts of service.

What did the scribe in the Gospel want to verify?

The scribe wanted to verify which of all the commandments was the greatest, and Jesus answered by stating that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Why is loving God and loving our neighbor considered the most important commandment?

Loving God and loving our neighbor are considered the most important commandments because, according to Jesus, they are the foundation of all other commandments. These acts of love are more important than burnt offerings or sacrifices.

How does the preacher describe the value of loving God in daily life?

The preacher describes loving God as central to daily life for many Filipinos, emphasizing that people often feel incomplete if they cannot pray, attend Mass, or express their love for God in some way. This love is expressed not just in words but in every act, as shown in the seminary song that encourages every action to be an act of love for God.

What challenges does the preacher highlight about loving our neighbor?

The preacher highlights the difficulty some people may have in truly loving their neighbor, especially when faced with negative behaviors like gossip, theft, or cruelty. The homily asks whether we still find it valuable to love others in the midst of such challenges.

How does St. Martin de Porres exemplify the commandment to love God and neighbor?

St. Martin de Porres exemplifies the commandment to love God and neighbor by living a life of humble service. Though not ordained as a priest, he expressed his love for God through prayer and demonstrated his love for neighbor by serving the poor, sick, and marginalized with compassion and care.

What is the significance of the image of St. Martin de Porres in the homily?

The image of St. Martin de Porres is significant because it symbolizes his life of humble service and charity. The preacher notes that this particular image survived a great fire and was donated by a family, highlighting its value as a symbol of love and devotion.

What does the preacher suggest we should do to express love for God and neighbor?

The preacher suggests that we should express love for God and neighbor in everyday, simple acts. This could be through our jobs, daily responsibilities, or interactions with others, emphasizing that love doesn't require extraordinary actions but can be seen in the ordinary duties of life.

What question does the preacher pose to the congregation about love?

The preacher poses the question: 'Do we still see that loving God and loving one another are precious in our lives today?' This is meant to encourage the congregation to reflect on the importance and value of these commandments in their own lives.