Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
03 November 2024
First Reading: Dt 6:2-6
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
Second Reading: Heb 7:23-28
Gospel: Mk 12:28b-34
Reflection
By: Benj Santiago
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Loving an unlovable neighbor is a big challenge for us. Loving even our own family members is sometimes a challenge. And for some, loving themselves is also a challenge. But the Lord is "commanding" us to love UNCONDITIONALLY our neighbor as we love ourselves.
How do we love our neighbor? We love them by treating them with kindness, humility, compassion, tolerance, and deep understanding. And who is our neighbor? They are the people around us, plus all the people we will meet in our life. They are not just our best friends, but all God's children all around us. Remember the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
I am reminded by this commandment that true love for God is shown into action by loving others. Others first before self. Prayer and action. Loving God by loving others above self.
Prayer
Father God, we love You with all our mind, body, and spirit. We pray that You continue to give us strength and humility to love everyone whom we will encounter in our lives. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
