23rd Week in Ordinary Times : Thursday, 10th September 2026

What does love look like for St Paul and Jesus? Today, as we read their words, we are challenged on how to live a life of love.

St Paul tackles the question of whether it is acceptable for Christians to eat food sacrificed to idols, but these so- called gods do not exist. The stronger Corinthian Christians understood that there is no god but the One God. So it’s ok to eat this kind of food. However, amongst them were weaker Christians, whose conscience did not allow them the liberty to do otherwise.

Therefore, St Paul urges restraint on the part of the strong for the sake of the weak. He says, “since food can be the occasion of my brother’s downfall, I shall never eat meat again in case I am the cause of a brother’s downfall.” (v 13) For him, loving means not asserting our rights, but keeping pace with those who are weaker in the faith, so as to accompany and strengthen them in their journey towards God.

For Jesus, it is going above and beyond that which is normal. He encourages us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who treat us badly. He goes on to elaborate for us what this alternate lifestyle will look like in our everyday Christian living. What will be the result if we follow Jesus’ words?

PRAYER Lord, help us to submit to Your word, and teach us how to love.