LOVE

Hello everyone. I hope you are all having a lovely Sunday! I ran into this tidbit that had to do with today's readings and thought I'd pass it along for those who might be interested.

And one of them, a doctor of the Law, putting him to the test, asked him, "Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?"  Jesus said to him, "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.'  This is the greatest and the first commandment.  And the secon is like it, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself'"  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."  (Matthew 22:33-40)

You shall love. Jesus summarizes all the commandments in one word – love. In response to a question asked earnestly by a scribe, Jesus puts together the love of God and the love of neighbor, quoting from Dt 6:4-9 and Lv 19:8

Love has three dimensions – love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self. Each one is inextricably linked to the other two. Love of God is undivided and unconditional. It embraces a person’s whole being – heart, soul, mind, and strength. The love of neighbor is all-inclusive. It does not discriminate against peoples because of race, religion, or persuasion. Love of self modifies love of neighbor. Indeed, love of self is the measure of love of neighbor. Only the one who loves and accepts oneself can love another.

   

     What must we do to love God, our neighbor, our selves?

To love God, our neighbor, ourselves, we must keep the commandments of God and of the Church and perform the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

My dear children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

     Which are the chief corporal works of mercy?

The chief corporal works of mercy are seven:

1. To feed the hungry.
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
3. To clothe the naked.
4. To visit the imprisoned.
5. To shelter the homeless.
6. To visit the sick.
7. To bury the dead.

     Which are the chief spiritual works of mercy?

The chief spiritual works of mercy are seven:

1. To admonish the sinner.
2. To instruct the ignorant.
3. To counsel the doubtful.
4. To comfort the sorrowful.
5. To bear wrongs patiently.
6. To forgive all injuries.
7. To pray for the living and the dead.

     Is everyone obliged to perform the works of mercy?

Everyone is obliged to perform the works of mercy, according to his own ability and the need of his neighbor.

For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked and you covered me; sick, and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.  (Matthew 25:35-36)

     Are all the ordinary deeds done every day to relieve the corporal or spiritual needs of others true works of mercy?

All the ordinary deeds done every day to relieve the corporal or spiritual needs of others are true works of mercy, if done in the name of Christ.

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ's, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.  (Mark 9:40)

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God” (1 Jn 4:7).