Jesus was speaking in the midst of a crowd when a lawyer asked him, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He (Jesus) said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Though the previous Gospel reading is common it is also commonly misused. So, what is loving the Lord your God with all your heart? Is it judging your sister or brother? Is it taking up for others in the midst of unfriendly conversation or action(s)? The Holy Gospel seems to convey a simple message to love God and love your neighbor. I am convinced that if you love your neighbor like you love yourself the whole world would be better. Imagine yourself in rush hour and someone cuts you off just as traffic starts flowing. Does it make your blood boil to consider your reaction? Now imagine you are the one who cut someone else off accidentally. How does the feeling differ? Consider now the person that unintentionally cut you off the road was your loving mother. Would you be as upset? If you answered no then you may want to re examine how you view others. Consider a sales associate at the mall that doesn't look you in the eye when they are speaking to you. Do you consider under their makeup they may have bruises they are hiding to conceal a relationship that has elements of domestic violence? If not, try being more considerate and respectful even if it doesn't seem to be reciprocated. What is loving God? Some people have a tendency to get upset with God when things go wrong when God wants nothing more than to be Abba Father to you. When times are good you should praise God. When times are bad you should praise God. It is in thanks and praise that we express our love for God. God doesn't require us to be perfect. We are expected to have empathy and compassion. Jesus words are few in this Holy Gospel as he addresses the crowd. However, his words are so brilliant. He is summing up even his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. He is summing up his whole reason His existence. Jesus came to convey the love of God the Father. There cannot be love without peace. There can be no peace but through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
***Pray especially for: Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber and family, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Ginny Henline, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Misty McCoy, Madeline Vaught, Nathan McConnell, Camden Albano, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, Jimmy Milas, Katie Armstrong, Donald Kaltenback, Harry MacRae, and Susan Beeler.
Collect:
ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(1st Reading Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, Psalm 1, I Thessalonians 2:1-8, Gospel Matthew 22:34-46)
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