The Richness of Love Commandment

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Thirtieth Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 12:28b-34*

*First Reading : Dt 6:2-6*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51*

*Second Reading - Heb 7:23-28*

*The Richness of Love Commandment*

*1) One Commandment*

The Gospel of the day invites us to reflect about the first, great and one important commandment of the Lord 

In short this commandment is called Love commandment 

Love of God and Love of the Neighborhour - in simplest form it is expressed in this way 

But this one commandment is really rich and has lots of implications 

*2) Love Commandment includes all Ten Commandments*

We see that God gave 10 commandments to Mosses to be followed by the people of Israel 

These Ten commandments become central aspect in the life of the people of Israel 

Later when Jesus spoke about the commandment, He spoke about one commandment, which is love commandment 

Careful reflection showes that all Ten Command are included in one Love Commandment 

One can not leave out any of those commandments in loving God and neighbor

*3) Love Commandment includes all sacrifices*

The Gospel also speaks about the sacrifice in the context of observing the commandment 

In fact the love commandment bases itself on the sacrifice 

Look at Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross, for the sake of  unconditional Love for the Father and to the neighbor

So every form  of sacrifice is included in the Love commandment

*4) Love commandment includes all types of Service*

Christian life and spirituality is built on the aspect of service 

No service no Christianity. 

If so, Love commandment can't exist with out the service

Jesus' life revolves arround service 

If so, the commandment of Love involves all forms of service

It is a love commandment for service

*5) Love Commandment, includes all sorts of Good Work*

We are representatives of Christ here on earth 

Jesus came to this world to do Good and he went on Doing Good

He did Good because he Loved every one, including his enemies 

So love commandment one again involves all the Good work which we can think of 

*6) Love Commandment Works on Forgiveness*

Without forgiveness one can't love another 

Love depends on forgiveness

One who is ready to forgive can love

Jesus forgave his enemies because he taught love your enemies

Accordingly he did and showed that love commandment is nothing other than forgiveness

*7) Follow only Love Commandment*

From above few things we can conclude that Love commandment is like a ocean, which has no boundaries 

It is vast like sky, which include evey single good thing 

So, one who is able to focus on love, or one who is motivated by Love can really observe the commandment of the Lord

How do I understand the commandment of Love??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*