Love God, Love Neighbor

 

 

Mk 12:28b-34

The Greatest Commandment

²⁸ One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

²⁹ “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

³² “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. ³³ To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

³⁴ When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

As we return to standard time and darkness comes earlier each afternoon but mornings are brighter for awhile, we are reminded of the passage of time, and our need to use it well.  Jesus sums it up succinctly: love God, love neighbor, not acquire wealth, nor write a great book, nor build the most beautiful building. We've heard this teaching over and over and know it's not as simple and easy as it sounds.  It is the work of a lifetime, a daily effort, and one with many failures and setbacks, but it is the key to eternal life. As we pray for the Holy Souls this month, let us ask for their quick entry into Paradise and their intercession for us as we try to implement these two commandments into our daily lives.

 

Bro. Rene

 

Dear God, thank you for making your commandment to love so clear; grant me the grace to live it as best I can. Amen.