In the Gospel today one of the scribes asks Jesus, “which is the first of all the Commandments.” Jesus responds: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” These words from the Old Testament, were familiar to the Jewish people. It was part of the “Shema” which was prayed twice daily. For us, as well as for them, these words are the summation and culmination of all the Commandments. That is, all that we say and do must be rooted in our love for God. Pope John Paul I wrote “The man who loves God must board the ship of God, determined to accept the course set by His Commandments, by the guidance of those who represent Him and by the situations and circumstances of life that He permits.” We live and demonstrate our love for God by faithfully carrying out charity in all of our actions. If we live in this manner, our love for God will be made manifest in our love for others.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne