WEDNESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2020
24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
MEMORIAL OF ST CORNELIUS AND CYPRIAN (Martyrs)
LIFE COULD BE VERY SIMPLE IF WE LOVE
I watched a comedy skit recently where a man told his wife that he loved her, and the wife answered if it is love that she is going to eat. In the first reading of today, St Paul speaks very passionately about love. Love is something that is not tangible and not explained with words, it flows from the heart even when it is not expressed. A child for example does not need his father or mother to tell him that they love him, their actions communicate their love to him. This is why st Paul tells us today that we may have everything we esteem on earth, but if we do not have love in our hearts, we are useless. We may be the greatest human being on earth according to human standard, we may be rich, but we are nothing without love of others. Some people would have been very great if they could at least learn how to love others and treat them with respect.
St Paul tells us that the 3 theological virtues which are faith, hope and love are very important, nevertheless, faith and hope will end in this world, but love will follow us beyond because if we love God and our neighbours on earth, we will continue to love God and our neighbours in heaven.
St Cornelius and Cyprian showed their love for God and neighbours that they preferred to die rather than dishonour the house of God and the Christian faith. We are not sure when St Cornelius was born, but he was Pope in 251AD until 253AD when he was exiled and later killed by Emoeror Gallus. St Cyprian was from Carthage in modern day Tunisia. He was born in 210AD and was bishop of Carthage until 258AD when he was martyred during the persecution of Emoeror Decius. He had at first hid himself so that he could be spared to take care of the flock, but Decius exiled and later executed him. His many letters helped to understand the early history and beginning of the church. Love is not an easy virtue, not what one practices with mere words, one has to be ready to give even his or her life for it. St Paul describes it with very beautiful words and in a very beautiful way in the first reading. May almighty God help us to love him and our neighbours to the end. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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