When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him,
“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
REFLECTION
“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
There are days I don’t like myself, yet, I wish myself goodness in life, good health, family and friends. On the days I offend God for things I did or did not do, I trust He will love me in spite of myself.
Our present world would have us believe that it’s an eye for an eye, vengeance is the only answer and delight in the failings of another: especially one whom we don’t like, have political or religious differences or just flat out drive us crazy! We are led to believe that love and like should always go hand in hand.
God has given us two commandments, not suggestions, to live our lives. “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
At times it might not be easy or convenient. God, however, calls us into action whenever He speaks to us, and it is up to us to find joy in loving our neighbor.
Joy, not amidst grumbling or complaining, with a stranger, family member, someone we like a lot or not. We are to take up our challenge to love when He calls us.
Be quiet and still, and love that grouchy husband, that next door neighbor who irritates you, a prodigal child or someone who has a problem, needs assistance or prayers. A kind friendly smile letting them know they are loved can go a long way in improving their lives and ours as well.
Be a vessel of forgiveness, helping others bear their cross. In all ways, big and small, our sacrifice to God is the greatest joy of all.
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