“Jesus replied, ‘The first is this: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’” (Mark 12:29-31)   

 

The major theme for this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on the fundamental principle of Christian discipleship, which is to fulfill Christ’s commandments: “to love God above all” and “to love others as ourselves,” noticing that the second commandment is the concrete expression and measurement of the first commandment. In other words, it is by “loving God living in others” that makes us true Christian disciples and gives meaning to all our activities: prayers, Bible reading, sacraments and liturgical celebrations, sacrifice offerings and all other religious practices that help us grow in our true relationship of love with all. 

 

Greatness calls unto greatness. In the face of the transcendent God who is one and has chosen to be one with his people, we can have no other response than a holy, single-minded and wholehearted devotion to this altruistic all-encompassing love. Christian believers know that their professed love of God is real and true if it is matched by expressions of magnanimous love for all others. Such love finds its precedent and inspiration in the absolute, complete and unreserved gift of Jesus on the cross. 

 

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topics focus on the two commandments of Jesus Christ and invite us to fulfill them.   

 

How can we fulfill Christ’s commandments, love God, acknowledging our total dependence on Him and love our neighbor as ourselves?  

 

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.