Daily Reflections ...

When the Pharisees asked Jesus what the greatest commandment is, He said ‘to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind …… and love your neighbour as yourself.’  (Mathew Chapter 22:37) In today’s Gospel I am focused on the actions of the unfaithful slave. When I put myself in the parable, I like to think that I would be the slave who was faithful to his master! But on a closer look, I probably need to acknowledge the unfaithful slaves’ actions as my own. The downfall of this slave was the order of his Loves. He clearly loved himself more than his fellow slaves, and more than God. He was selfish, eating and drinking to excess to fill his own desire. He took advantage of his fellow servants, beating them as if he was in charge. Most of all, he didn’t seem to care that his Master was coming home.

Do we love money, food, drink, security, reputation or prestige more than God and neighbour? When we love these more than God, it leads to sin.

Father God, You are good and full of mercy and compassion. Thank you for sending Jesus that we may be washed of our sin and made new! Kindly reveal to us where we can love you more and love ourselves less. Holy Spirit, help us to live a life of faith, hope and charity.

By Dom Dougherty