Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

34  When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,

35  and one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking,

36  “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

37  He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

38  This is the greatest and the first commandment.

39  The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

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

Reflection:

The Gospel for today is about which commandment is the greatest? This is a reminder for us that in the 10 Commandments that were given to us, the first in rank is “Love the Lord God with all your heart.”  This is the mark that we should always wear as Catholics. God should be the center of everything and should be the priority before everything else. How will we do this when we can’t see God? The answer is easy, God is present in our fellowmen. God is in the poor, the needy, the sick, the abandoned, and the homeless. If we try to dig our hearts deeper, our fellowmen become our brothers and sisters and if we truly understand the meaning of the first commandment, then surely we will be blessed.

Being a religious person doesn’t mean going to church every day, kneeling in church, and always giving money in the presence of other people. The true meaning of being a Christian is doing charity, helping others, giving shelter to the homeless, and helping the sick. By just doing these things, we already proclaim our love for God because God is in those people; He is in each and every one of us. Praying in the church and praying silently on your own no matter where you are at the moment is just the same thing. Even if you went to church always but your heart is not pure because you are just being a show-off, then you are not doing the first commandment.

Lord God, in everything I do, let not others praise me but You. We have to always look at the lives of the saints before us. Doing the things that make God happy are their great things here on earth that is why they are blest. Don’t think too much of earthly happiness, instead try to figure out what will make God happy as you live your life here in this world.

We should always try to consider our souls. Earthly happiness and riches will fade away after we die but in the presence of God, what we have done here in this world will matter. If we love our fellowmen, then we love God and make Him happy. Humility and charity will always be present if we are the sons and daughters of God. So now, if you see those people on the streets begging for food, don’t hesitate to offer what you have even if it’s little. It is not the amount you offer that matters but what is inside your heart that shines. Generosity is at hand if you have plenty. Remember always that even if you don’t have food for your table today, but you are still willing to help others, then God will not abandon you as He will be giving you abundance the next day. Do not worry where you will get your food or everything because God is watching us from up above. Loving God is the most beautiful thing that a person can experience. So let us all say “Lord Jesus, I love you with all my mind, my heart my body, and my soul.” Happy church day everyone! – Clea | Helpline PH