LOVE OF GOD AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOR

In the Old Testament the Jewish rabbis listed 613 precepts of the law. There were 248 commands and 365 prohibitions. These were further classified into light and grave. It was a timely topic of discussion among the Jews to debate these precepts of the law and to give one’s opinion on the light or grave binding force of many of these laws. Therefore, the question the scribe asked of Jesus, as mentioned in the Gospel is not an unusual one. It was not a trick question as were many questions asked of him. Rather it was a serious one. So he asked Our Lord which was the first of all commandments, Christ gave him a very definite answer.

TRUE LOVE OF GOD consists in wishing God all the honor and glory and doing whatever is in your power to secure the honor and glory for Him. Christ Himself said, “If love me, keep my commandments.” Hence to love God is to live life free from sin and to keep his commandments. Love your God with all your heart... means that the Love of God should permeate all aspects of our life. A true love of God will prompt the soul to do tremendous things for God. It will prompt one to perform virtuous actions. It will prompt one to put his own convenience and pleasure in the background. It will move him to give preference to whatever will promote God’s honor and glory.

The LOVE of GOD is like a Flame. It reaches out and ignites anything which it comes in contact with. It thaws the cold and frigid heart. It sheds heat and light on all around. It is contagious. A person burning with it will influence all around him. The LOVE of GOD will bring us many benefits. It will benefit us now and for all eternity. It will bring a great flow of God’s grace into our soul. It will increase God’s love for us.

The LOVE of GOD will help us wipe away our sins. The First Epistle of St. Peter, echoing the Book of Proverbs, tells us that Love covers a multitude of sins. LOVE of GOD will incite to virtue. St. Paul quoting Isaiah, tells us that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man which things God has prepared for those who love Him.

#66. A STORY ON JESUS’ GREAT COMMANDMENT ON LOVE: When Carpenter, the great artist who painted Lincoln’s portrait in the White House, asked about his religion. Lincoln replied, “I have never joined any church, but when any church will inscribe over its altar as its sole qualification for membership, the words of the Savior, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God will all thy heart and with all thy soul, and thy neighbor as thyself,” that church will I join with all my heart and my soul.

This Sunday is St. Charles Borromeo’s feast. As Bishop, he dedicated himself to reform and renewal, regularizing the condition of the clergy, establishing many seminaries, and overseeing the training of catechists. This week November 4-10 is National Vocation Awareness Week. On the 6th, it is Election Day for USA. On the 9th, it is the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. And on the 10th, it is the memorial of St. Leo the Great. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin.

Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,

Fr. Reggie