Richness of Love
By Nuvi Dela Cruz
Oct 29, 2017
Oct 29, 2017
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing" ~ Mother Teresa
As presented in the First reading, in going into a covenant with God, the Hebrews were able to exemplify a society where justice and compassion were a part of their daily lives. While on the Second reading, the Thessalonians showed their faithfulness to Him by following his commandments - especially in loving one another. The Hebrews and Thessalonians' response to God's call is a good example of what He asks from all of us - for us to be one with Him through being a united and loving community in service to other people.
In this week's gospel, the Pharisees questioned Jesus as to what commandment under the law is the greatest among others. Jesus then reveals to them that the greatest commandment is in Loving God - that "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" and that "You shall love your neighbor as yourself". Such that the greatest commandment is the entirety of all the commandments of God and all the laws made by man combined. Love of God is not simply remembering our Sunday obligation but remembering our obligation to ourselves and to other people. Loving ourselves to the extent that we don't neglect the needs of others, and loving others to the extent that we don't forget our own needs.
We are reminded that amidst all the violence and injustice in the world, attaining peace is still possible. Achieving justice doesn't only demand identifying what is legally right or wrong but also what is morally right and wrong. In fulfilling God's greatest commandment, we are asked to love ourselves first amidst all the negativity in our environment. That in loving ourselves, we will learn to appreciate other people. And only by accepting other people - whatever class or identity they may come from - can we fully grasp God's love and be able to love Him with complete loyalty.
As presented in the First reading, in going into a covenant with God, the Hebrews were able to exemplify a society where justice and compassion were a part of their daily lives. While on the Second reading, the Thessalonians showed their faithfulness to Him by following his commandments - especially in loving one another. The Hebrews and Thessalonians' response to God's call is a good example of what He asks from all of us - for us to be one with Him through being a united and loving community in service to other people.
In this week's gospel, the Pharisees questioned Jesus as to what commandment under the law is the greatest among others. Jesus then reveals to them that the greatest commandment is in Loving God - that "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" and that "You shall love your neighbor as yourself". Such that the greatest commandment is the entirety of all the commandments of God and all the laws made by man combined. Love of God is not simply remembering our Sunday obligation but remembering our obligation to ourselves and to other people. Loving ourselves to the extent that we don't neglect the needs of others, and loving others to the extent that we don't forget our own needs.
We are reminded that amidst all the violence and injustice in the world, attaining peace is still possible. Achieving justice doesn't only demand identifying what is legally right or wrong but also what is morally right and wrong. In fulfilling God's greatest commandment, we are asked to love ourselves first amidst all the negativity in our environment. That in loving ourselves, we will learn to appreciate other people. And only by accepting other people - whatever class or identity they may come from - can we fully grasp God's love and be able to love Him with complete loyalty.