Thursday's Gospel
Gospel - Mk 12:28-34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
posted by Fr Greg @ 11:09 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
I was wondering, If we follow the great commandment(s) to Love God and love our neighbor shouldn't that make it easier to practice forgiveness of self and neighbor?
Love God,...love your neighbor. Jesus makes it so very simple for us.
Yes, Kat, I do believe that if you practice the above it is easier to forgive self and neighbor. Isn't the act of forgiving all about love anyway? I think so.
I know I fail miserably at both of them, Loving God because ultimatly I become very attached to certian sins and loving neighbor... well that is a toughie lately.
As my love is imperfect so is everything else... oie I have a long way to go.
Everyone has episodes of stuggling to love neighbors- I've definately been challenged there. I guess we have to decide what takes precedence in our lives- the struggle or the love. Sometimes, although maybe not always at anytime for everyone, it can come down to a choice that one makes. Is this struggle so BIG and IMPORTANT that I let it draw me away from the person I believe I am supposed to be, and, most importantly, draw me away from God. I can think of a few instances when I can really understand why one would struggle with some conflicts that temporarily moved them away from God- like maybe with an illness of a child. But for the most part- the struggles that I have allowed to come into my life and create that temporary space between me and God were small issues that had to do with qualities I gave into- like my pride and righteousness. Are they really worth separating myself from God? I'm not saying you're "failing" to love God and neighbor for my reasons, but think about yours. Are they so important that you hold them above what you truly value for yourself in your life? If not- give those things up to God and move on. That's a big gift you can give yourself.
"To err is human, to forgive divine."
- Alexander Pope
A member of my family is getting married soon and my childen are to be in the wedding. The couple decided not to get married in the church and the service will be officiated by some non-denomination reverend- I think. The couple are both Catholic. However, a while ago, I brought up an issue (that needed to be brought up- don't regret that) but is caused some tension and defensiveness within my family. The end result, rather than accepting any responsibility for what occured, all the "blame" was laid at the feet of the church, and now no one in that part of my family wants anything to do with the church. It's really immature and childish behavior- aimed more at making me, the culprit for bringing this issue out, "wrong" and "bad" about (my) faith, and therefore issues of responsibilty by all invalid. I get that and I can deal with it- but the couple who are getting married are ultimately paying the price for all of this. I know that when they go through hard times (which we all do in our marriages) they won't have that sacrament to look to. The importance of the sacrament has bonded me to my marriage more than anything else, for I remember the promise I made not only to my spouse, but the one I made to and before God. It's a big deal, and since both the bride and groom have been raised in the Catholic church, I can't help but believe they are setting aside the importance of the sacrament in their marriage for the sake of peace with others. Should I let it be? Should I talk to them? I'm feeling responsible for all this. In addition, my children will ask (especially since one studied the sacraments this year) why they aren't getting married in church- how do I explain?
Dear Anon 8:56 a.m.
You wrote that your children are "in the wedding" (in the wedding party?) of a Catholic couple who are being married outside the Church (a truly tragic mistake). I am puzzled as to why you as a Catholic have given permission for your children to participate - as if so tragic a mistake were an occasion for celebration?
Allowing your children to participate sends the message to the couple, to the children, and to the entire family "I give my hearty endorsement to this wedding outside the Church!" Nothing you might say with words to the contrary could speak more loudly or clearly; actions always speak louder than words.
Thus, in the present circumstances, any more talking you might do would be a case of sending out mixed signals. That can only add to the difficulties!
Fran;
So true!
It is the wedding of my sister-in-law, and things with me and my in-laws have been greatly strained of late, that action would (I am quite certain) permanently sever that relationship. Furhermore, it would be a serious point of contention between my husband and I, for our views differ on this "sort" of subject. It caused stress that I wouldn't allow my daughter to stay with my sister-in-law at her apartment. which she shares with her boyfriend, but I didn't want that situation to be "okay" in my daughter's eyes. Bringin up the subject of their not being married in church only served to direct that blame to me.
Dear Anon in the Sticky Wicket with th In-laws:
Your dilemma sounds perfectly dreadful. I am so sorry. On so many levels your situation sounds to me an awful lot like different people not on the same page, talking past each other . . . Yikes!
I'm sure FG and others will have much better advice, but it sounds to me as if, in your present circumstances, your best answer would be put all into God's hands and to pray, pray, pray.
It has taken me so many years to learn that anyone can speak the difficult truth that others need to hear . . . but to speak that truth at the right moment, in the right words, in the right tone, and in a manner that the listener will be willing to listen to . . . that is really the tricky part!
I will pray for you and your family!
FG- I loved your beautiful and touching post on "Father Tom" Wells. Your words helped my family remember him in a beautiful way today. Thank you.
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