Daily Gospel Reflection for August 23, 2024

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

Reflection by Kathy Mallery Schober

Today's Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40

When love comes into focus, everything else falls away. God is love. Jesus came into this world because of love. Jesus said that we are known as His disciples by our love. We are told if we don’t have love, we are nothing. Today’s Gospel focuses on love.

What commandment is the greatest? Love God, with all your heart, soul, and mind. What comes next? Love your neighbor as yourself. So, what shall we teach our children? Let us teach them to love.

Love God and love others. This was a daily focus in my Catholic middle school classroom. Then, due to the woundedness of our society, I realized that my students also needed to be reminded daily of how much God loves them.

When we let God pour His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5), we are then able to love God more deeply and love others more compassionately.

The shape of the cross became a sign of this focus of love for our class. We created a poster with a cross. An arrow pointed to the top with the words “Love God.” Below this was an arrow pointing down stating “Let God Love You.” The double-pointed arrow in the middle was labeled “Spread God’s Love to Others.”

Perhaps this way of looking at the cross, and the love of God, can be a daily focus in our homes as well. Teaching our children how very much God loves them encourages their relationship with the Holy Trinity. Helping to kindle the flame of their love for God ignites lives of prayer and worship. Showing them how to love and serve others forms missionary disciples. And this combination is soul-shaping and world-changing!

Ponder:

If Jesus points to loving God and loving others when asked for the greatest commandment and later gives the new commandment of love during the Last Supper, what can I possibly prize more than love?

Pray:

Holy Trinity, You are a communion of love. Guide our hearts and minds to focus on Your love so that we may better lead our children to know and love You more.

Copyright 2024 Kathy Mallery Schober

Kathy Mallery Schober directs Faith Formation, catechizing for over 25 years, and holds a graduate degree in education. As a public speaker and educator, she has earned awards for her work with families and children. Through her YouTube Channel "Domestic Church," @domesticchurchmskathy, Kathy shares her videos for Catholic kids and families.