March 17, 2023
Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.
You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. (Mark 12:28-34)
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR: If you really dig into the teachings of Jesus Christ, you’ll find that His message is quite simple.
Throughout the Gospels, we read about the disciples being confused, and about listeners to Jesus’ message being “amazed” or “astonished.” However, in reality His message is quite clear and concise: “Love God. Love others.”
They were not confused and amazed because the message was so difficult, but rather, because it was so new and different. It turned everything they had been taught, everything they knew, upside down. Burnt offerings and sacrificed animals were not the way to God? God is not a God of fear? He loves us and wants us to love Him and others? Jesus delivers a new, fresh message.
This simple message of Jesus still needs to be voiced today. We live in a world that accepts, even promotes, selfishness. It’s about me. It’s about what I want and I want it now.
Jesus asks us to think and act outside of ourselves.
From the Deacon's Desk 