Daily Reflections ...

Trick questions like this must have been tiresome for Jesus, but still he answered. He did not ignore the questions or the enquirers. He showed not the slightest hesitation in answering the question in today’s gospel, although his answer was not just for the Pharisees but for all those gathered to hear his word: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” That is, with your whole being – physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual.

So that we can do this, God invites us into relationship with him. This relationship might seem a little one-sided sometimes, as we can’t be sure what God is asking of us and we have to guess. Yet if it was just down to guessing we would miss the mark every time. Rather, it is faith – which has been given to us by God and which we express through prayer – that supports our decisions and actions. It is purposeful.

The second greatest commandment, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” is a beautiful expression of the first commandment. In loving our neighbour we reflect God’s love for us. Yet this very practical second commandment is a tall order. Perhaps, first, we need to look at how well we love ourselves: acknowledging our own shortcomings can be difficult, forgiving ourselves can be even harder. If we can’t love and forgive ourselves, how difficult is it, then, to forgive those who hurt us, to accept those who are different to us, and to share Gods love with them all? The question we need to ponder is “how well do we show our love of God, love of our neighbour, and love of ourselves?”

Fortunately, there is always room for improvement and God’s grace is our way forward.

By Karren Strahan