Romans 9:1-5 / Luke 14:1-6
In many ways, religion is an important influence and impact in the lives of people.
Among other aspects, religion is a great source of support and consolation for people.
As for us Christians, we believe in God who is love, and He loves us and cares for us.
So, we come for Mass, we worship God and offer praise and thanksgiving, and we also pray for His blessings in our needs.
We have faith in God because we know that He hears our prayers and grants us our needs.
But faith and worship are not confined to just “me and my God”.
Faith and worship are also to be expressed in relationships and with love for neighbour.
In the gospel, Jesus noticed a man with dropsy, and He addressed the lawyers and Pharisees with this question: Is it against the law to cure a man on the sabbath, or not?
But they remained silent. They were only watching Jesus to see if He would cure that man on the sabbath.
So for the lawyers and Pharisees, worship and observance of religious precepts have no connection with love and care for neighbour and those in need.
As for St. Paul, he says in the 1st reading that he would willingly be condemned and be cut off from Christ if it could help his people.
Such was the deep connection of his faith and his relationship with others.
May our worship give glory to God, and may our faith lead us to help those in need.
Then others will know that we are truly Christians by our love for God and neighbour.