Laws or by-laws are not a “means to an end” but rather should help us to achieve a purpose. Every organization, every group or ministry or club—even every family—has some kind of “by-laws” or rules that help it to function. We all know what happens when there is no “law” or “order,”’ and we all know what happens when the “law” becomes the be-all and the end-all of everything.

This Sunday’s first reading from Deuteronomy (30:10-14) helps us to recognize the importance of a law’s connection to those being governed by the law. That is, if the law is not morally correct or if it does not lead to a buildup of the common or personal good, it can become a hindrance. If a law has no application to that which it governs, it will not be of benefit. We hear in this reading that the Lord reminds us that the law He enjoins on “us” is not too distant or mysterious, nor is it too remote for us to understand and apply in our everyday lives. The laws that the Lord gives to His people are for their benefit even if they seem difficult, as we need to understand them vis-à-vis the “big picture” and not see them as individual hindrances. Let us look—really consider—the Ten Commandments. At first blush some folks feel them to be impediments to personal freedom. But does anyone really want to be murdered (Thou Shall Not Kill) – what kind of personal freedom does that result in? In fact, the Lord speaks the absolute truth when He says, “No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.”

In Sunday’s reading from Colossians (1:15-20) we actually hear about the “be-all and the end-all” of all things: Christ. He is “the image of the invisible God” and there is nothing on earth—no person, no government, no power, no law that does not come from Him, nor was created without Him. In fact, welcomed or not, God is present. I personal take comfort in the idea that no matter what one thinks is truth, on the Last Day we will all see Him face to face and in Him we will know Truth. We hear in this reading that “For in Him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile all things to Him, making peace by the blood of His Cross through Him, whether on earth or those in heaven.” If we want to cite any law or rule or regulation, let it be founded upon Him who is, was and will ever be.
The Gospel from Luke (10:25-37) offers two important and yet very familiar points: First, of the preeminent law of God: You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” God must be first and fore-most in our God must be first and foremost in our lives. He is the “source, the summit and the font of love” and must not be considered through an emotional or sentimental love but with a pure and practical love that centers our lives on Him, in the recognition that our lives are created from Him, sustained by Him, and redeemed in Him—and Him alone.

Second, we hear of the account of the Good Samaritan and the command from Christ to “Go and do like-wise.” Christ tells us that a lukewarm faith is something He distains; that an active or lived-out faith is one that is alive, and growing and is transformative—for the individual and for those around him or her. This is important. We, as Catholics in particular, see our faith at work with-in us and through our actions—the sharing of our gifts and talents with others—which brings the Church to life. Christ, the head of the Church, was a man who demonstrated His love in very practical ways. Christ was moved with pity by the crowds so much that He fed thousands with a few fish and bread; moved with pity He cured them from their ills; He was moved with pity for the mother of the dead young man and brought him back to life, raised the royal officials daughter to life, healed the hemorrhaging woman, cleansed the leper, and forgave the sinner…all with acts of practical love. Feeding, healing, caring and consoling, even carrying or lifting them up. As with the first reading and the “law” not being so far above the people but rather right at home in their hearts, the love of God—Christ made man—was a practical and direct action of God. But God’s love does not end with Christ. It continues today in us.

Today’s challenge is to ask ourselves some difficult but ultimately life changing questions: (1) Am I a disciple of Christ, and if I say “yes,” how do I illustrate it? (2) Is my love for God a pure love that recognizes Him as the “be-all and end-all” of my existence, or do I love others or other things more? (3) If I work hard at being a disciple of Christ, is my loving action practical like Christ’s…who rolled up His sleeves and went to work by involving Him-self in the lives of the less fortunate? (4) Is my “love” of God and neighbor “up in the sky or far across the sea…or is it very near to me…in my heart and have I carried it out?”

Discipleship is very difficult, but it is indeed transformative and life changing—not just for those who are being served by “me” but it is also so transformative for the “doer.” The transformation that comes about does not last for just a moment or until the next project or task comes about, it lasts an eternity. May we all be practical in spending our love.