August 23, 2024, Matthew 22:34-40
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082324.cfm
Why Do We Have So Many Neighbors?
Can you think of the people we meet every day? We cordially say hello to some people and give others a lot of time. Jesus purposely combined the two commandments of the Old Testament so we can show God every day how much we love him by loving our neighbors.
Jesus reveals what God is like and how we can be like God when we love our neighbors. It is more than commanding us to love God and our neighbor. Can you imagine God’s desire for us to recognize his Divine Son in each other?
In the beginning, the flesh, bone, and spirit God used to create Adam was the flesh, bone, and spirit of his Beloved Son Jesus. Jesus is the image and likeness in which God creates every human being.
Consider the reverence we show Jesus when we enter and leave a church. We genuflect. Yet, the same Jesus is present in our neighbor. “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to Me.” I can’t imagine us thinking about and treating Jesus the way we treat each other at times.
St. Teresa of Avila, the great Doctor of the Church, can help us: “Though we do not have the Lord with us in bodily presence, we have our neighbor, who for ends of love and loving service, is as good as our Lord himself.” And St. Bede the Venerable said, “He alone loves the Creator perfectly who manifests a pure love for his neighbor.”
Gospel Challenge:
God loves us so much that He gave us countless neighbors with whom we can love Him. Then we can say, “Lord Jesus, this is how much I love you.” Thank Jesus for the many opportunities you will have to love Him today.
Peace everyone.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor@bscchurch.com
