Monday, October 19, 2026

Scripture

“‘You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39

Reflections

Many would like to make the Christian faith complicated.  You must know all the rules and follow them.  You must have the bible memorized, etc.  Gratefully, Jesus makes it easy for us.

It begins with loving God.  God loves us.  We know that because of Jesus’ death on the cross.  We love him in return.  It doesn’t find its origin in obligation or aspiration.  It’s something that flows naturally in response to God’s love for us.  It’s not a “should” but a “want”.

The second is to love your neighbor as yourself.  When the love of God becomes a part of our lives, it naturally flows through us to others.

Some may make “love neighbor” their primary focus.  When that’s the case, it’s easy for everything to become about us and the good things we should do.  God isn’t even necessary if your goal in life is to just do good.  Any atheist can do good.

For a Christian, it all has its foundation in God and his love for us.  You don’t even have to be able to recite all the commandments to be able to do this.  Love God.  Love neighbor.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for your love for me.  Help me to love you in return with my whole heart, soul, strength and mind.  Be with me this day that I might love my neighbor as myself.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Matthew 22:34-46