MATTHEW 22:37
You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
In the gospel passage from Matthew 22:34-40, we are presented with a profound encounter between Jesus and a scholar of the law, who, in a quest to test the Lord, inquires about the paramount commandment within the divine law. In response, Jesus imparts divine wisdom, offering a succinct yet deeply profound answer: "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."
These words encapsulate the very heart of Christian spirituality. The first commandment underscores the supreme importance of our sacred connection with God, emphasizing that loving Him with the entirety of our being is a call to complete surrender, unwavering devotion, and steadfast faith. It's a reminder that our talents and gifts are divine blessings that should be used to serve Him and His Church.
The second commandment redirects our focus to the world around us, admonishing us to extend the love we bear for ourselves to our fellow siblings in Christ. In doing so, we're also called to share our talents and gifts with others, providing Christ and His Church with our unique abilities and skills. By serving our neighbors and the Church, we become instruments of God's love in the world.
Reflection
- How am I currently utilizing my God-given talents and gifts to serve both the Church and my fellow siblings in Christ?
- In what ways can I deepen my love for God with the entirety of my being, and how does this devotion influence the use of my talents in His service?
- As I consider the call to love my neighbor as myself, what specific actions can I take to better share my unique abilities and skills with others, becoming a more profound instrument of God’s love in the world?
Put This Reflection Into Action
Give of your talents by contributing to the Liturgy of the Mass by joining a choir or serving as an usher or a greeter.
Contact Tamaron Conseur, Director of Music and Liturgy to get involved