Gospel: Matthew 22: 34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him,
“You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Grace Starbuck RIP (5.00 pm Vigil Mass), Bill Kendall RIP (9.30 am – Holy Cross), and Patrick Doyle RIP (11.00 am – Our Lady’s)
Reflection:
As a community, we have been praying the Rosary everyday this month. In reflecting the various mysteries of Our Lord’s life, we see Jesus as the embodiment of fulfilling the two greatest commandments which one of the Pharisees asked Him. Christ was asked, not out of curiosity but to test Him. Unlike the Pharisees who were so preoccupied with following rules and regulations, Jesus focuses on the glory of God and the good of souls. The legalistic view of the Pharisees overburdened the people. The compassionate view of Jesus liberated them. Jesus was the Man for God and for others. With all His heart, soul, and mind, He loved His Father whose will was to gather the least, the lost, and last. And so, Jesus “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). He was obedient unto death, death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). His love for God and for others were inseparable. By having that deep relationship with the Father, He looked at people with love regardless of their status.
If there is one person who faithfully witnessed Jesus’ love for God and people, it was Mary. She was there in the wedding feast of Cana and asked her Son’s help when the wine ran out. Although it was not yet time for Jesus to do a miracle, He obliged because He saw the concern in His Mother’s eyes. Mary was there in some of His preaching. She was also there in Christ’s final moments on the cross. His last word to her “Woman, behold your son” (John 19:26), for me, meant something like “Woman, I am entrusting to you the people I love. Love them as I do.” Can Mary say no to the child she bore “with love beyond telling”? Of course, not. Her love for Jesus has led her to love us – sinners and saints alike.
- In what ways can you liberate people rather than burden them with God’s commandments?
- How can you become a person for God and others?
- If you were Mary standing beneath the cross and Jesus tells you “Woman, behold your son”, what would be your initial response? Why or why not?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of Mama Mary, may our love for You be reflected in our love for others especially those in need. Amen.
Sincerely,
Pietro
4.2.7