March 28, 2014 Friday: 3rd Week of Lent A

A complex or lengthy subject matter becomes easier to understand and distill when stated in a simple, summarizing statement. The teacher's question to Jesus seemed to be a sincere effort to try to understand the complexities of Jewish laws and regulations. And so to the question, "Which commandment is the first of all?" Jesus gives a direct and simple answer and summary: There is only one Lord and God. Love Him "with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself." These are the two greatest commandments.


God created us out of love and for no other reason. In fact, sin made man very unlovable but God did not give up on us and still accepts and loves us, faults and all, except for sin. It is only right that we love Him back with all our being: our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus also tells us to go beyond our self-love and love our neighbor as ourselves.
Love is the foundation of everything that's good. We build this foundation by loving God and our neighbors. We show our love for God not just through words but by caring for and taking care of others. Lord, help me learn to love You and others as you love: unconditionally and with a generous and compassionate heart for service and sacrifice.

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