When asked by a Pharisee what the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus gave him the answer he expected, "to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Then, he surprised him with the "second" commandment, "You shall love your neighbor a yourself." (Cf. Mt 22: 34-40). Loving God simply because he is God, is the ideal...no strings attached, no element of fear, just pure, unadulterated love. Then this is underscored by the pure love of others, which puts what might be an abstract concept of love into concrete tangible reality. Our little acts of kindness and consideration for the needy, the infirm, the elderly in nursing homes put our love in perspective. We might even be called someday to follow in the footsteps of the great saints, like St Louis of France, whose memorial we celebrate today. He fed the poor daily, opened a hospital for the blind, implemented just laws, led two crusades, suffered imprisonment during the first, and died of typhus while on the second. He gave totally of himself...The North American Martyrs suffered enormously from physical beatings, mutilation, rejection and ultimately, death...All for LOVE of God and LOVE of others and a desire to share that love with all. What can I do today to share the love I have received?
Bro. Rene
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