Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary(Click here for readings)
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
The Two Great Commandments. If you only had one minute to explain to someone what it meant to be a Christian, what would you say? How would you explain it? Would your reply be similar to that of Christ's? "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."
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments. Like a pen in someone's hand, Love and God go hand-in-hand. It is His marvelous way of getting His message across.
Love is God's unique way to reach out to others and bridge the gap between heaven and earth.
Love is a rare and special name for God. In the Muslim faith there are ninety-nine names for God, but not one of them is Love or Father. God is Love, not just the loving one. He is Love. He is also our Father.
"The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." Why? Because Love (God) as well as Truth are the basis of all relationships, human and divine.
The revelation of God as Love has shaped our hearts, minds and souls. It has inspired world leaders to embrace universal principles such as All Men Are Created Equal. Love is the Rock of our foundation when dealing with our neighbors, including our enemies. It has fashioned virtues such as respect, dignity, compassion, mercy and forgiveness. Love has molded our society and psyche so much so that we have taken God's presence for granted. Regardless, cosmic Love continues to inspire us in our songs, poems, plays and musicals. It continues to dominate our lives, conversations, relationships and friendships. To love and be loved continues to be our greatest desire and goal.
Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting (Ps 107:1).
Love is what drives us to reach new heights towards unity, while the lack of it drives a metal knife through one's neck.
"Love is what drives us to reach new heights towards unity, while the lack of it drives a metal knife through one's neck."
ReplyDeleteA knife through the neck of James Foley or nails through the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.
When contemplating what Love is, I think of the torn and pierced body of Jesus Christ. Hanging on the cross he had none of the trappings of our worldly desires- not wealth, power, honor, or pleasure. He was, however, the perfect picture of humility, sacrifice. and love. In the words of Isaiah,
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed."