As we complete the 28th week after Pentecost, our assigned readings are taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians and again from St. Luke’s Gospel. Paul shares with the Colossians his understanding of who Jesus is. He writes: He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creatures. In him everything continues in being. In this letter Paul simply affirms that Christ possesses the sum total of redemptive power and that the spiritual renewal of the human person occurs through contact with Christ.

When we think about what Paul asserted, even though he never heard Jesus teach, we realize his comprehension of the Jesus message is truly incredible. The highly developed Christology presented in Colossians is inspired. Paul’s clear understanding of the person of Christ becomes a foundation for the doctrine that the Church has developed around Christ.

The Gospel reading presents one of several stories about Jesus curing people on the Sabbath. The synagogue leader has no real regard for the suffering, disabled woman. He has no empathy for her and insists on what he thinks are the rules of his religion. He puts religious rules above concern for others which, I believe, is a false interpretation of Judaic Law.

When we put these two readings together, the message that seems to very clearly emerge is this: God, incarnate in the Person of Jesus, clearly shows us the importance of putting nothing, even religious rules, before the kindness and help we extend to others. Why? Because how we treat others is, in reality, how we treat God.

I know that many find this difficult to accept and believe. When we seriously think about Jesus’ life and teaching, however, we cannot deny that this is true. He taught us that there is a direct connection between how we treat our fellow human beings and God.

Jesus put no conditions on his love and forgiveness of others. He likewise modeled empathy for all others, not allowing anything to impede His extending a helping hand to those in need. He also modeled concern for others rather than concern for rules. All of His interactions with others clearly expressed that there is only one real rule that must be kept: Love for others! We have been called to grow in His likeness.

Our religion believes that we are called to be like Jesus.

We must ask ourselves, am I willing to truly become like Him?