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Deacon’s Beacon: Love of God and Neighbor

Love of God & Neighbor

That’s the message we hear in today’s gospel.  The Pharisees are plotting to “trap” Jesus and He responds that the greatest commandment is love of God first, and then love of others as we love ourselves and our family.

We know the answer, but we have to live the answer.  How do we do that in our life?  All we have to do is listen to His greatest disciple – His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Her total life was dedicated to following Jesus Christ and love all people as Jesus loves us.

That’s why the Church focuses our attention on the Blessed Virgin and her constant love for all people.

Month of the Holy Rosary

October is designated the month of the Holy Rosary.  In the 12^th century the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Dominic who was struggling in his ministry to the people of southern France.  Mary gave him the rosary and explained how the graces from praying it would aid him in his mission.

Some may say, “I don’t need the rosary, I go to Mass every Sunday – I’m a good person.”  All that may be true, but as Jesus tells us the love of others requires commitment on our part.  Praying the rosary gives us special graces to see more clearly the love of God in our World.  (See: Rosary Resources here)

Mary follows that message in her life.  She lives that message of love of God and shares her love with all of us.  That is “living the message.” 

As we go through the five decades of the four mysteries of the rosary, we hear the story of Jesus’ life and His devotion to the message and love of the Father.  The rosary allows us to see life in a deeper, more meaningful way.

In today’s First Reading (Exodus 22:20-26), God tells the people that love of and caring for the oppressed and poor is not optional – it is a requirement.

This Godly love of others is even more critical in our world today.  We have all suffered with this world-wide pandemic.  Many of us know people who suffer from the illness – including some who have died.  But there are also many who are in a crisis environment because of the illness and its effects on them – loss of jobs, lack of proper nutrition, and inability to receive proper medical attention, and more.

However, living this message is not always easy.  Jesus not only tells us what we should do – He lives that true love for us through His passion and death.

Mary also is living that message of sacrificing for the love of God and neighbor.  The Church’s focus in September was the Seven Sorrows of Mary – from the prophecy of Simeon through the passion, death and burial of Jesus.  But then she celebrates the joy of His resurrection.  And we’re invited to join in that celebration by living God’s commandment.

Next week we will discuss what are some of the ways we can live this message more fully in our lives.  Until then, please share your thoughts with me at: irenetomc@hotmail.com.

Thank you and God Bless!
Deacon Tom Corcoran

“You are the light of the world.  Do not light a lamp then put it under a bushel basket…. your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Heavenly Father.”  Matthew 5:5-16