The theme of today’s Gospel is centered on the Love of God and the Love of neighbor.  We are told in the Gospel that a scholar of the law wanted to test Jesus by asking Him: "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" Then, Jesus sees the opportunity to teach them about the genuineness of a true Love of God and neighbor, by saying; "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These two greatest commandments sum up our whole purpose in life.

Remember, this is not just a suggestion but it’s a commandment from the commander in chief (God Himself) for us to love the Lord Our God with all our mind, heart, soul, everything and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

The Lord, God told us in today’s first reading: "You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry.” Our words and actions should reflect the bond between true love of God and neighbor.

It’s not enough to say we love God when the basic things are neglected, the love of neighbor. The words of Pope Francis; “We find Jesus in the face of this people, the poor, the orphans, the widows, the strangers as recorded in the first reading today. These people are our neighbors, our brothers and sisters in need.

We must express ourselves as a true Christian and a true disciple of Jesus by reaching out to them in love and charity. Our love for God comes from our immense support to your family, community, your church, and our world. Like the famous song goes: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do unto God.

Let’s us continue to do the good things we called to do and make the world a better place for all to live in peace and unity. 

God is good…all the time.

God bless you.

Fr. Daniel E. Ogbeifun