23rd Week in Ordinary Time : Thursday 10th September 2020

Paul was tackling a very real concern in the Corinthian Church. Here the central theme for Paul was the greater importance of love over knowledge. Some were aware that idols were not gods, so eating meat offered to idols was not really a sin. However, for some who were newer to the faith, eating food that had been offered to idols disturbed their conscience.

Paul emphasised that wounding the conscience of others by eating the meat was the same as sinning against Christ. Love of others is more important than being right.

Jesus was challenging the prevailing thinking of the ancient world (and of our world today) to hate their enemies and love their friends. Loving one’s enemies did not mean liking them or enjoying their company, but it meant treating them as they themselves would like to be treated.

The love that Jesus spoke of involved tangible acts. Jesus gave some examples — lend while expecting nothing in return, be merciful, do not judge, forgive, pray for your abusers, give to beggars… There are so many examples that we can apply to our own lives today. Jesus was suggesting a new way of living. Are we able to put aside our way of thinking and treat others as we wish to be treated?

Lord, help me to follow the way of life that Jesus taught.