God’s Greatest Command

by Rev. Jeff  |  11/03/2024  |  From the Clergy

As we quickly approach the end of Ordinary Time, the Church sums up for us, her greatest teaching, the greatest commandment: “To love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” When we love, we seek to remain united to, and to abide with, the beloved, and never to offend or be separated. As we love God, then we trust and love all things of God. We are taught of the Father’s love who wants no one to die, but to listen and believe in His Son and follow him into the Resurrection; that we may have life forever.

In baptism, we’re called to love our neighbor as ourselves. God loved us, that our lives may be saved through His Son. And so, we’re called to do likewise: to help others to have life, life in abundance. Where there is human need, we the church, have ‘preferential treatment’ for the poor, as with the widows, orphans, immigrants, the sick, the elderly and the imprisoned. Individually and as a nation we’re called to help ease the suffering where ever it may be, whether home or abroad.

This week, at the polls, we have a unique opportunity to safeguard the ‘common good’, for the dignity of every human person, in all its conditions. Simultaneously we can do this, while we stop the destruction of lives from the ravages of war that threatens World Peace. Most importantly, of all the Life Issues, is the Right to Life for the unborn. Without life in the womb, where life begins, (the preeminent issue of our day), then advocacy for all other human rights loses its meaning. Being truly selfless servants of God is to love our neighbor as God would have us do. This is what makes peace in the world and in our hearts.

-Rev. Jeff