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Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.


Today's Gospel: Mark 5:17-19

At first, this Gospel can be confusing. Jesus seems to be saying that we are bound to the full Mosaic Law consisting of over 600 edicts. But the Church, from its earliest days, has affirmed that is not the case. Jesus’ death and resurrection created a new covenant between God and His people, a covenant built on love.

Later in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus offers the greatest commandment, to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” and the second commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-40). These two commandments of love are the overriding principle of the Ten Commandments given to Moses. The first three commandments in the Decalogue provide guidance regarding how we are to love God. The last seven concern how we are to love other people.

Whether you focus on only the two Jesus provided or the Ten Commandments, the challenge remains the same. It is not easy to love God and neighbor. Our human nature chafes against rules. How much better the world would be if we all followed this law of love! But instead, we think we know better than God. We want what seems to be better for us, even if it goes against the love of God or neighbor. We become selfish. We sin when we choose not to love.

As mothers, we have the added responsibility of teaching our children to love. One of the main ways they learn this is through our actions. Do they see us going to Mass, praying, and reading Scripture (all ways of loving God)? Do they observe us treating others with kindness and respect, including those in our own families (loving our neighbor)?

 

Ponder:

 

How can you better model the love of God and neighbor so that your children will learn by your example?

 

Pray:


Lord, help me to know that Your commandments are for my benefit. Help me to love both God and my neighbor.

 


Daily Gospel 2

 


Copyright 2024 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur