“I love you, Lord, my strength.”
Psalm 18:2
Readings
Exodus 22:20-26
I Thessalonians 1:5c-10
Matthew 22:34-40
Reflection
by Sister Dorothy Jean Beyer, OSB
Have you ever asked yourself what is most important in my spiritual life? In today’s gospel, the Pharisees decided to ask a similar question of Jesus. Which commandment in the law is the greatest? Jesus was very concise and clear. His answer was about love of God and love of our neighbor. Do we make love a priority in our spiritual life? Is our love for God concrete? Can others tell that we love God? The second commandment is also about love – love of our neighbors. Do others know we care and treasure them?
In the first reading from the Book of Exodus, the author is specific about caring for the widow and orphans, about caring for our poor neighbor. Who is my neighbor? How would you answer this important question?
Jesus is all about love, in His words and actions. Our spiritual life should be all about love. St. Paul says in his letter to the Thessalonians that we should be imitators of our Lord. Let us strive to follow Jesus in His unconditional love for all people. And let us love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind. A lifetime endeavor, but worth every effort on our part. Today! Tomorrow! Ok, every day.
From the Rule of St. Benedict
“Live by God’s commandments every day...” 4:63
Gospel Acclamation
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.” John 14:23
Thank you, Sister Dorothy, for your reflections on loving God and loving our neighbor. In my home I have scripture verses and sayings printed out and up on my walls nearly everywhere: "God is Love", "Just Be Love", "Live, Laugh, Love", "Love the Little Things", "Love is the Answer", "The Greatest of These is Love". I even took the last name of Love, legally, in my 20's, because I knew that Love was what I needed most to learn in life.
At 71 it has been a life long quest to understand the differences between man's idea of love and God's. I believe I'm getting closer when I remember to put love of God absolutely first in my life an…