The law of Love

August 19, Friday  of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 & Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

"The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, and mind," says the Bible. This is the greatest commandment that we have always heard as Christians. However, the more we reflect on it, the more we realize how challenging it is to put it into practice. Sometimes we ask: Do I know how deep God’s love is for me? Do I believe in God and love him?

The greatest commandments are to love God and our neighbors wholeheartedly. I cannot say I love God, but I am not sensitive to the needs of my neighbors. I cannot say I love God if I do not even look at my neighbors in the eyes and listen to what they want to express to me. God is love, which is why we can love as his children.

How do we make these concepts of loving God and neighbor more natural for us to understand and live out daily?

To love means to serve. To serve our neighbors lovingly, especially those who are in need. By loving others, we love God. So what are some ways to show our love for God and others? Let us reflect on the way we relate to other people.

Starting with our family members, do we share love and joy with them? Are we able to show our care and concerns to them?

Love is accepting who we are and what other people are. Love leads us to serve others with joy in our hearts. What if there is someone difficult for us to love?

Let us remind ourselves that the Lord has loved us unconditionally, so we are invited to love others.