Brothers and Sisters,
What a testament this Sunday’s Gospel is to who God is! God is love. Out of all the things Jesus could have told the Sadducees to do in this moment, He tells them to love. First, we are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our minds. Jesus is the most perfect example of how we are to do this, showing us that even amidst the busyness of performing miracles and sharing the Gospel, He made time to pray. Throughout Scripture there are instances of Him withdrawing from the crowds and praying. I would encourage you to do the same, and make time to talk to God. As Mother Teresa once said, “if you are too busy to pray, then you are too busy.” He is the Good Shepherd, our Heavenly Father who loves you, who invites you to come as you are, and wants to gently receive every part of you. Invite Him into your day-to-day life! Thank Him for the gifts He has given you, and tell Him your fears, your hopes, or what’s making you happy or sad. It’s natural for us to spend time with the ones we
love, so why not spend intentional time with God?
The second commandment Jesus gives here goes hand in hand with the first: love your neighbor as yourself. By loving your neighbor and yourself, you are loving God too! In Matthew 25 He tells us, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me.” He reminds us that as you do for others, you do for Him. Jesus also demonstrates this love for neighbor in His willingness to lay down His life for us upon the cross. Are there ways you can lay down your life for others? Are you quick to serve, to forgive, or to set aside your preferences for the sake of someone else? If you are wondering how to love your neighbor, look to Jesus. Even at the Last Supper, He gets down and washes the feet of His disciples. We are able to love because He first loved us and showed us the way. Adopt His virtue, His humility, His patience, and His kindness. You were made in His image and in His likeness, and with His help, it’s possible to love like Him too.
Giulia Mazzarelli
Penn FOCUS Team Director