LOVE FOR GOD AND NEIGHBORS - 10/29/23 (Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,

they gathered together, and one of them,

a scholar of the law tested him by asking,

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He said to him,

"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."

REFLECTION: 

How do we show love? Usually, our concept of love is only focused on love stories that we watch on television or movies. More often than not, pleasure and joy are the basis of love as seen there. But, the love that God speaks of in our gospel today is like His love on the Cross. This is shown and felt by making sacrifices for the beloved. There is no love without suffering because true love can be expressed in serving the beloved. 

Jesus served us. We should do the same to others if we say that we truly love God.

If we love the Lord, let us accept the poorest and the abandoned in our society. This is what God did and what He wants us to do. We cannot say that we love Him if we cannot love the people who are in front of us who ask for help. Ignoring the sufferings of the beloved is not love. The heart that prays and receives the Most Sacred Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist will open us to love others like Christ. The poor are our brothers and sisters in God. We belong to His same family. Even if they cannot repay us back, the person who loves, helps and serves them as God commands us becomes His true child here and in Heaven. This person will inherit the Kingdom of God. Amen. +

Our Lady of the Abandoned, pray for us that we may be able to do the will of God. Amen + 

Source:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102923.cfm

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth