Can we love the Lord with all our hearts, all our souls and all our strength? What might that mean? I think it requires a single-heartedness that few of us ever master. Instead we love the Lord deeply and madly some days but other days we might be distant or distracted. The First Reading reminds us that if we want all to go well with us, we must observe the Lord's decrees diligently.
The Gospel drives home that message with a new twist. If we proclaim to love God, we must also love our neighbour and ourselves who are made in the image of the Creator. Well, if we cannot even love God passionately all the time, how will this work? God is the Great Giver and if we cannot give God all of our love, then we can understand why we withhold loving others and have self-loathing at times. This was part of a discussion that I participated in yesterday and I have to admit that some of it rang true for me. We attach so many rules to love that we forget that it should be freely given.
I am going to start practicing this more often--or at least make an attempt.
Peace,
Suzanne
No comments:
Post a Comment