Love and the First Commandment

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Ninth Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mk 12:28-34*

*First Reading : 2 Tim 2:8-15*

*Love and the First Commandment*

*1) The First and Great Commandment*

The Gospel of the day has the description of the first and great commandment

Interestingly we see that the first commandment which speaks about God, is closely linked with the aspect of Love 

In other words, the first commandment can't exist without the aspect of Love. Love and first commandment is closely related 

*2) How to Love God?*

Jesus beautifully explains how to love God. There are multiple aspects which are involved in the aspect of love 

*Love God with all Your heart*

Heart is everything for a person. Its a place of emotions and feelings 

All our emotions and feelings should be guided to love God

*Love God with all your Soul*

Soul is the Divine Seat in human life. It is the place where God dewlls. It is a place where God and human beings are connected to each other 

Need to love God fully from the Soul 

*Love God with all Mind/Understanding*

Loving God is not a blindly following something

Mind helps us to understand the reality in its true sense 

So understanding plays a very important role in Loving God 

*Love God with all your Strength*

One can do nothing without Strength 

Strength makes us to achieve anything that we wish in good faith 

One need to love God with all our strength

*Love God as you love your neighbor* 

Neighbor is the visible immediate human being 

Human being can't live in an island. He/she has to relate for which the aspect of Love is needed 

Love God as one loves his/her neighbor in Good faith 

So Love has multiple aspects to be fulfilled, if one wishes to Love God in totality 

*3) Am I ready to Love God?*

The first commandment has  multiple aspects of Love 

To become our Love effective, one needs to follow the above things 

These are very challenging but not impossible

If So, How do I love God? 

How will I observe the first and great commandment?

With all these am I really willing to Love God? 

What are the hurdles to observe the first and great commandment in my Life?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*