O sacrament most Holy, O sacrament divine, all praise and all thanks giving, every moment

yours…
Father’s sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus,
Today we are going to reflect upon the theme of otherness or the importance of otherness. Holy
scripture, both in all Old Testament and New Testament we can find God giving high importance
to the humanity or he is highly concerned of human beings. God sees human life as unique,
precious, significant and sacred. This is why dear brothers and sisters we need to consider other
as sacred.
Firstly, letter of St.Paul to the first Corinthians chapter 6 verse 19 Says that “do you not know
that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God that you are
not your own?” St Paul reminds that even though our body is made up of matter, we need to
consider other are sacred because in that matter God is present and our bodies are temple of the
Holy Spirit. We need to understand that God resides in you and me and we should must have a
sense of sacredness between each other. Our actions and talks should not demotivate others
instead it should always help them. We need to be aware that we are sharing the same Nature in
origin and moving towards same destiny that is Jesus Christ
Temple is always a place where people go for pray and to share their difficulties. We all are
temple of the Holy Spirit and we need to try to find divine in others. Thus other is highly related
to divine. St. Paul in his letter to Romans chapter 8 vs 9 tells that “you are not in flesh, you are in
spirit, since the spirit of God dwells in you”.
Secondly, every human being is having a subjective being which is headed by Supreme Being.
Our actions should also be united with Supreme Being. The order of the Supreme Being is
revealed in Christ and that is love. This love was not to self but for others. Jesus sacrificed
himself for the sins of the humanity. As we are Christians we can follow the path of Christ Jesus
to get sacrificed for others and thus he showed how much importance we need to give to the
other in our day today life. Jesus reminds in the Gospel of St. Matthew chapter 5 verse 44 that
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your
father in heaven”. Thus Jesus love is endless and is forever. So we also need to understand this
and to try to love all even your enemies in spite of your difficulties.
Thirdly, we all are made in the image and likeness of God. Dear brothers, for this reason we are
bound to respect and to consider other little ahead. In the Old Testament, we can see God
himself, had a great concern for the people of Israel. They committed sin against God and when
they went away from the path of God, still God loved them. That’s why God sent various
prophets to lead the people and to liberate and restate them to his Kingdom. In the book of
exodus Chapter 7 vs 9 we can see that God sending prophet Aaron to rescue people of Israel
from Egypt. In the book of Isaiah chapter 53 v5 says that “he was wounded for our
transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and
by his bruises we are healed”. God always love human beings and at last he sent his only son to
redeem us. It shows how deep affection and concern God is having towards us.
Dear brothers and sisters we also need to have same affection and concern to others. Jesus was
crucified and by his death he affirmed once again that we all belong to him. To get sacrificed for
others or suffering for others was shown by Jesus and thus he loved the humanity who was made
in image and likeness of God. Here Jesus is showing a new path of suffering as the best way to
love others. This is what in this Lenten season we need to try and practice.
In the letter to Galatians chapter 6 versus 2 St. Paul says that “carry each other’s burdens , and in
this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”.
In the letter to Philippines chapter 2 verse 3, St. Paul says that, “value other above yourselves,
not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interest of others”.
In letter to Hebrews chapter 13 varsh 16 says, do not forget to do good and share with others, in
such sacrifices God is pleased.
Thus in this Lenten season, we can be more vigilant to love and respect others. We should keep
in mind that all human beings are temple of God and made in image and likeness of God. So we
must be able to find divinity in other and be ready to get sacrificed for others.
In gospel of Saint John chapter 15 versus 12 to 13 ….Jesus says my command is this, love each
other as I have loved you, greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for ones
friends…….
Amen.