31st Sunday - Fr. Leo
We hear the best summary of the Christian way of life in today’s gospel. Jesus sums it up as a loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and secondly, to love our neighbor as ourselves. Reflecting on these two commandments, would constitute a great morning and evening prayer. What better way to ponder, if we are on track in following Jesus.
Jesus approves the young man’s insight about keeping these commands as more important than burnt offerings and sacrifices. And then he adds, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” Why would Jesus say that to the correct answer? I think the reason is that knowledge of God is one thing and living like Christ is another.
It is good to be reminded today of what it means to be a follower of Christ, and inspired by that reminder, we lift our hearts to the Lord and ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that the love we profess, may be the love we experience in every moment of our lives. May each of us come to know the joyful experience of loving as Jesus loves.