Gospel: Mark 12: 28b-34
The Gospel passage from Mark focuses on our relationships with God and with one another. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus quotes the Shema then goes one step further. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. You cannot do one without the other. They are not separate commandments. So, how are we to love? With mind, heart and strength; that is, totally. In Luke’s Gospel, specifically in the parable of the Good Samaritan, we learn the answer to the question, “who is my neighbor?” Discipleship is wholistic love. The most prominent “Good Samaritan” in our time was St. Teresa of Calcutta. We all are not called to care for lepers and those in abject poverty in Calcutta gutters but St. Teresa admonished those wishing to follow her to find their own Calcutta. We don’t have to look far. It is all around us.
In his recent encyclical, Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis reminds us that devotion to the Sacred Heart opens our hearts so that we can love and be loved. Devotion to the Sacred Heart expands the Gospel admonition to love God and love neighbor. Jesus is our model par excellence in loving. He loves us with both a divine love and a human love. Pope Francis encourages us to reflect on the love of the Sacred Heart which inspires us to love and serve others. Resist preoccupation with self. Resist looking out for number one.
The Gospel speaks of the two commandments, those of divine love and human love. We find both in the Heart of Jesus. It is a Heart that loves us first. Let us ask God today to help us love fully and use our energy and talents in such a way that brings glory to God and encourages and supports one another. Perhaps, you may also want to spend some time reading Pope Francis’ latest encyclical which can be found on the Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html
Blessings,
Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz
