In this month of November, we Catholics remember in a special way all those relatives, friends, and parishioners who have died. In front of the altar we have placed photos of those special people who have passed away, securing the hope that they are, in the words from today’s Gospel, “Not far from the kingdom of God.” Jesus teaches us that loving God with all our being and loving our neighbor as ourselves will put us on the road to eternal life. We thank and praise God for the promise of heaven.
The words of Deuteronomy that we hear in our first reading are found in Shema, the prayer recited by devout Jews every morning and evening, is a prayer that expresses the foundation of the Jewish faith. It has been their daily prayer for hundreds of generations, including the generations that lived in Jesus’ time, so all of the scribes would have certainly known the prayer by heart. Every day it reminds them of God’s prominence in their lives. Every day it reminds them that their God is God of all, for there is but one God. Every day it reminds them that they are to respond to God with love, with all their being. May it remind us of the same.
That is how Moses and Jesus loved God. This is what is behind their command to love God “with all your heart, with all your souls, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” We should love God with all of our available resources, with our whole person. If we realize that every person was made in the image of God, it necessarily follows that we should love our neighbor as we love ourselves, for each of us is made in God’s image.
Love, Peace, Joy,
Fr. Bob
P.S. Don’t forget to vote. Tuesday, November 5, is election day. May God raise up leaders who will govern according to kingdom values.
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