October 26, 2014

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thus says the LORD:
"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.
My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword;
then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans.

"If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people,
you shall not act like an extortioner toward him
by demanding interest from him.
If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge,
you shall return it to him before sunset;
for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body.
What else has he to sleep in?
If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

R/ (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R/ I love you, Lord, my strength.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R/ I love you, Lord, my strength.
The LORD lives and blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R/ I love you, Lord, my strength.

Reading 2 1 Thes 1:5c-10

Brothers and sisters:
You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,
receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit,
so that you became a model for all the believers
in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth
not only in Macedonia and in Achaia,
but in every place your faith in God has gone forth,
so that we have no need to say anything.
For they themselves openly declare about us
what sort of reception we had among you,
and how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God
and to await his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead,
Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.

Gospel Mt 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"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.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

From: Exodus 22:21-27 (NAB Ex 22:20-26)

Social Laws

[20] “Whoever sacrifices to any god, save to the Lord only shall he utterly des-
troyed. [21] “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were stran-
gers in the land of Egypt. [22] You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. [23] If
you do afflict them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry; and my
wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become
widows and your children fatherless.

[25] “If you lend money to any of my people with you who are poor, you shall not
be to him as a creditor, and you shall not exact interest from him. [26] If ever you
take your neighbor’s garment in pledge, you shall restore it to him before the sun
goes down.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

22:18-31. This passage contains a number of laws on social matters, in no parti-
cular order; some are apodictic, some religious, others are work-associated—but
all deal with serious offenses.

Sorcery, which only women used to engage in (v. 18) was punished by death
cf. Lev 20:6, 27; Deut 18:10-14), being a form of idolatry (cf. “Catechism of the
Catholic Church”, 2117). It was also forbidden by Assyrian laws and by the
Code of Hammurabi.

Bestiality (v. 19) was a perversion more often found in pastoral and nomadic life
(cf. Lev 18:23-25); it too was punishable by death.

Sacrificing to false gods was a temptation ever present to Israelites because
they were surrounded by wealthy and powerful, but polytheistic, nations such
as Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria and, especially, Canaan; “...shall be utterly des-
troyed” (v. 20) or “shall be put under the ban” or “shall be anathema”.

Strangers who (due to war, disease or famine) found themselves forced to leave
their country, widows without a family to support them, and orphans were typical
marginalized or poor people in that tribal society. In its laws (e.g. Deut 10:17-18;
24:17) and in its prophetic message (e.g. Is 1:17; Jer 7:6), the Bible constantly
speaks out on behalf of people most in need (cf. Jas 1:27). The oppression of
the weak and of those on the margin of society is one of the sins that cry out to
heaven (cf. “Catechism of the Catholic Church”, 1867).

Blasphemy against God (v. 28) was punishable by death (cf. Lev 24:15); blas-
phemy against the person on supreme authority in the nation was no less
serious, because he was God’s representative. In the time of St Paul this text
was applied to offenses against the high priest (cf. Acts 23:5).

On the law covering the first-borm, cf. the note on 13:12. First-born sons had to
be redeemed by means of an offering. Therefore the very bald rule given in v. 29
needs to be interpreted in the light of others which describe how first-born sons
were to be consecrated—for the sacrifice of human beings was never counte-
nanced in Israel.

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Fidelity

[5c] You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. [6]
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in
much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit; [7] so that you became an
example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. [8] For not only has the
word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith
in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. [9] For they
themselves report concerning us what a welcome we had among you, and how
you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, [10] and to wait for
his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from
the wrath to come.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

5. St Paul reminds them that what he preached was the “gospel” foretold by the
prophets (cf. Is 40:9; 52:7; 60:6; 61:1) and fulfilled by the Incarnation of the Word
and by his work of salvation. The Apostle was pressed into service by the Holy
Spirit to forward his work of sanctification. The Thessalonians were not won over
by mere human words but by the “power” of God, who made those words effec-
tive. The term “power” refers not only to miraculous actions but also to the Holy
Spirit moving the souls of those who heard Paul’s preaching.

It is true that this activity, like all actions of God outside himself, is something
done by all three Persons of the Blessed Trinity; but in the language of Scripture
and of the Church it is customary “to attribute to the Father those works of the
Divinity in which power excels; to attribute to the Son, those in which wisdom
excels; and to the Holy Spirit, those in which love excels” (Leo XIII, “Divinum
Illud Munus”, 5).

In the early years of the Church the proclamation of the Gospel was often marked
by special graces of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, miracles, or the gift of
tongues (cf. Acts 2:8). This profusion of gifts made it clear that the messianic era
had begun (cf. Acts 2:16), for it meant the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies: “I
will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even
upon the menservants and maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit”
(Joel 3:1-3).

“In power and in the Holy Spirit”: in line with the divine plan of salvation, the time
of the Old Testament, which prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah,
has reached its end, and a new era has begun, the Christian era, the key feature
of which is the activity of the Spirit of God: “It must be said that the Holy Spirit is
the principal agent of evangelization: it is he who impels each individual to pro-
claim the Gospel, and it is he who in the depths of consciences causes the word
of salvation to be accepted and understood” (Paul VI, “Evangelii Nuntiandi”, 75).

6. St Paul rejoices at the effect God has had on the Thessalonians. It is true that
Christ is “the” model to be imitated, but the Apostle’s own example played its
part in leading them to Christ (cf. 1 Cor 11:1). “To follow Christ: that is the secret.
We must accompany him so closely that we come to live with him, as the first
Twelve did; so closely, that we become identified with him. Soon we will be able
to say, provided we have not put obstacles in the way of grace, that we have put
on, have clothed ourselves with, our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Rom 13:14). Our Lord
is then reflected in our behavior, as in a mirror. If the mirror is as it ought to be, it
will capture our Savior’s most lovable face without distorting it or making a carica-
ture of it; and then other people will have an opportunity of admiring him and follo-
wing him” (St. J. Escriva, “Friends of God”, 299).

“Joy”, which is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22-23), is linked to un-
conditional acceptance of the word of God, and helps a person to overcome any
obstacle he or she may meet on his way (cf. Acts 5:41). “One can be joyful des-
pite lashes and blows, when these are accepted in the cause of Christ”, St John
Chrysostom comments. “A feature of the joy of the Holy Spirit is that it causes
an uncontainable happiness to grow even out of affliction and sorrow [...]. In the
natural course of events afflictions do not produce joy: joy is the privilege of those
who accept sufferings for Jesus Christ’s sake; it is one of the good things be-
stowed by the Holy Spirit” (”Hom. on 1 Thess, ad loc.”).

7-8. Thessalonica was an important center of trade and a hub of communications
for all Greece. The Christians in the city included a number of important people
and even some women of the aristocracy (cf. Acts 17:4). The social standing of
the converts and the prestige of the city partly explain the rapid spread of Chris-
tian teaching throughout the region.

What the Apostle says here only goes to show that when the Christian life is gi-
ven full rein it spreads far and wide. This should give us every encouragement “al-
ways to act in public in accordance with our holy faith” (St. J. Escriva, “Furrow”,
46).

9. We can see how happy the Apostle is to learn that the work of evangelization
has borne fruit of conversion to God—which is the whole purpose of Gospel prea-
ching. “For the Church, evangelization means bringing the Good News into all
the strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from with-
in and making it new” (Paul VI, “Evangelii Nuntiandi”, 18).

It is moving to see the way good news spread among the early Christian commu-
nities. Obviously anecdotes about the apostolate would go from church to church;
this gave them an occasion to praise God while at the same time providing encou-
ragement to stay true to Christ and to spread the Gospel.

10. The Christian message has this feature which differentiates it from Judaism—
hope in Christ and expectation of Christ. Two central points of Christian teaching
emerge from this verse: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who rose from the dead,
and he will come again to judge all. St John Chrysostom observes that “in a sin-
gle text St Paul brings together a number of different mysteries concerning Jesus
Christ—his glorious resurrection, his victorious ascension, his future coming, the
judgment, the reward promised to the righteous, and the punishment reserved for
evildoers” (”Hom. on 1 Thess, ad loc.”).

This verse probably contains a form of words used in oral preaching, and perhaps
a profession of faith belonging to early Christian liturgy.

“To wait for his son (to come) from heaven”: that Jesus Christ will come again is
a truth of faith professed in the Creed: “He will come again in glory to judge the
living and the dead.” Christ will be the Judge of all mankind. Everyone will be per-
sonally judged by God twice: “The first judgment takes place when each one of
us departs this life; for then he is instantly placed before the judgment seat of
God, where all that he has ever done or spoken or thought during life shall be
subjected to the most rigid scrutiny. This is called the particular judgment. The
second occurs when on the same day and in the same place all men shall stand
together before the tribunal of their Judge, that in the presence and hearing of all
human beings of all time each may know his final doom and sentence [...]. This
is called the general judgment” (”St Pius V Catechism”, I, 8, 3).

The “wrath to come” is a metaphor referring to the just punishment of sinners.
Our Lord Jesus Christ will exempt from it those who have consistently tried to
live in the state of grace and fellowship with God. St Teresa of Avila warns that
“it will be a great thing at the hour of death to know that we are going to be
judged by him whom we have loved above all things. We can approach this trial
with confidence. It will not be like going into a strange land but into our own land,
for it is the land that belongs to him whom we love so much and who loves us”
(”Way of Perfection”, 70, 3).

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: Matthew 22:34-40

The Greatest Commandment of All

[34] But when the Pharisees heard that He (Jesus) had silenced the Sadducees,
they came together. [35] And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, to
test Him. [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” [37]
And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and
with all your soul, and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first com-
mandment. [39] And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as your-
self. [40] On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

34-40. In reply to the question, our Lord points out that the whole law can be con-
densed into two commandments: the first and more important consists in uncon-
ditional love of God; the second is a consequence and result of the first, because
when man is loved, St. Thomas says, God is loved, for man is the image of God
(cf. “Commentary on St. Matthew”, 22:4).

A person who genuinely loves God also loves his fellows because he realizes
that they are his brothers and sisters, children of the same Father, redeemed by
the same blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: “this commandment we have from Him,
that he who loves God should love his brother also” (1 John 4:21). However, if we
love man for man’s sake without reference to God, this love will become an obsta-
cle in the way of keeping the first commandment, and then it is no longer genuine
love of our neighbor. But love of our neighbor for God’s sake is clear proof that we
love God: “If anyone says, ‘I love God’, but hates his brother, he is a liar” (1 John
4:20).

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself”: here our Lord establishes as the
guideline for our love of neighbor the love each of us has for himself; both love of
others and love of self are based on love of God. Hence, in some cases it can
happen that God requires us to put our neighbor’s need before our own; in others,
not: it depends on what value, in the light of God’s love, needs to be put on the
spiritual and material factors involved.

Obviously spiritual goods take absolute precedence over material ones, even
over life itself. Therefore, spiritual goods, be they our own or our neighbor’s, must
be the first to be safeguarded. If the spiritual good in question is the supreme one
of the salvation of the soul, no one is justified in putting his own soul into certain
danger of being condemned in order to save another, because given human free-
dom we can never be absolutely sure what personal choice another person may
make: this is the situation in the parable (cf. Matthew 25:1-13), where the wise
virgins refuse to give oil to the foolish ones; similarly St. Paul says that he would
wish himself to be rejected if that could save his brothers (cf. Romans 9:3) — an
unreal theoretical situation. However, what is quite clear is that we have to do all
we can to save our brothers, conscious that, if someone helps to bring a sinner
back to the Way, he will save himself from eternal death and cover a multitude
of his own sins (James 5:20). From all this we can deduce that self-love of the
right kind, based on God’s love for man, necessarily involves forgetting oneself
in order to love God and our neighbor for God.

37-38. The commandment of love is the most important commandment because
by obeying it man attains his own perfection (cf. Colossians 3:14). “The more a
soul loves,” St. John of the Cross writes, “the more perfect is it in that which it
loves; therefore this soul that is now perfect is wholly love, if it may thus be ex-
pressed, and all its actions are love and it employs all its faculties and posses-
sions in loving, giving all that it has, like the wise merchant, for this treasure of
love which it has found hidden in God [...]. For, even as the bee extracts from
all plants the honey that is in them, and has no use for them for aught else save
for that purpose, even so the soul with great facility extracts the sweetness of
love that is in all the things that pass through it; it loves God in each of them,
whether pleasant or unpleasant; and being, as it is, informed and protected by
love, it has neither feeling nor taste nor knowledge of such things, for, as we
have said, the soul knows naught but love, and its pleasure in all things and
occupations is ever, as we have said, the delight of the love of God” (”Spiritual
Canticle”, Stanza 27, 8).

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Readings at Mass

First reading

Exodus 22:20-26 ©

The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell the sons of Israel this:

‘“You must not molest the stranger or oppress him, for you lived as strangers in the land of Egypt. You must not be harsh with the widow, or with the orphan; if you are harsh with them, they will surely cry out to me, and be sure I shall hear their cry; my anger will flare and I shall kill you with the sword, your own wives will be widows, your own children orphans.

‘“If you lend money to any of my people, to any poor man among you, you must not play the usurer with him: you must not demand interest from him.

‘“If you take another’s cloak as a pledge, you must give it back to him before sunset. It is all the covering he has; it is the cloak he wraps his body in; what else would he sleep in? If he cries to me, I will listen, for I am full of pity.”’

Psalm

Psalm 17:2-4,47,51 ©

I love you, Lord, my strength.

I love you, Lord, my strength,

my rock, my fortress, my saviour.

My God is the rock where I take refuge;

my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold.

The Lord is worthy of all praise,

when I call I am saved from my foes.

I love you, Lord, my strength.

Long life to the Lord, my rock!

Praised be the God who saves me,

He has given great victories to his king

and shown his love for his anointed.

I love you, Lord, my strength.

Second reading

1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 ©

You observed the sort of life we lived when we were with you, which was for your instruction, and you were led to become imitators of us, and of the Lord; and it was with the joy of the Holy Spirit that you took to the gospel, in spite of the great opposition all round you. This has made you the great example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia since it was from you that the word of the Lord started to spread – and not only throughout Macedonia and Achaia, for the news of your faith in God has spread everywhere. We do not need to tell other people about it: other people tell us how we started the work among you, how you broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and became servants of the real, living God; and how you are now waiting for Jesus, his Son, whom he raised from the dead, to come from heaven to save us from the retribution which is coming.

Gospel Acclamation

cf.Ac16:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

Open our heart, O Lord,

to accept the words of your Son.

Alleluia!

Or	Jn14:23

Alleluia, alleluia!

If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we shall come to him.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 22:34-40 ©

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, ‘Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said, ‘You must 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 resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.’

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

Pray the Rosary

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

October Devotion: The Holy Rosary

This feast was established by Pope Pius V to commemorate the great victory of the Christian army against the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
All soldiers on the battlefield prayed the Rosary for three hours and the wind has shifted in their favor. They were able to defeat an army three times bigger, in one of the greatest naval victory in history.
Pope Pius V named this the Feast of Our Lady of Victories, to be celebrated on October 7th.
In 1573, Pope Gregory XIII changed the title of this memorial to Feast of the Holy Rosary.

Pope Paul VI established the form that we celebrate this feast today, in 1969 under the name “Our Lady of the Rosary”.
“The celebration of this day invites all to mediate upon the mysteries of Christ, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was so singularly associated with the incarnation, passion and glorious resurrection of the Son of God.”

Madonna del Rosario

Caravaggio

1607

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.
Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.
End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Final step -- The Sign of the Cross
The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

The Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of Light
(Thursdays) see Rosarium Virginis Mariae
1. Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan (II Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 3:17 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Gratitude for the gift of Faith]
2. Jesus' self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1- 12) [Spiritual fruit - Fidelity]
3. Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion (Mark 1:15, Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47- 48, John 20:22-23) [Spiritual fruit - Desire for Holiness]
4. Jesus' Transfiguration (Luke 9:35 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit - Spiritual Courage]
5. Jesus' institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery. (Luke 24:13-35 and parallels, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) [Spiritual fruit - Love of our Eucharistic Lord]
The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Tuesdays and Fridays)
1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46) [Spiritual fruit - God's will be done]
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) [Spiritual fruit - Mortification of the senses]
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2) [Spiritual fruit - Reign of Christ in our heart]
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17) [Spiritual fruit - Patient bearing of trials]
5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-37) [Spiritual fruit - Pardoning of Injuries]
The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

The Fifteen Promises Granted to Those Who Recite the Rosary [Catholic Caucus]
Essays for Lent: The Rosary

Radio Replies Second Volume - The Rosary
Town Rejects Rosary as Offensive and the Prayers that Changed Everything
No-contact order over a student's rosary
Collecting 860 rosaries result of a lifelong passion (Catholic Caucus)
After rosary campaign, Florida sheriff abruptly shuts down abortion clinic on Marian feast
Public Rosary in San Francisco to draw thousands [Catholic Caucus]
Chicago's Incredible Floating Rosary
Enourmous Rosary floats over Chicago
Surprised by the Joyful Mysteries (of the Rosary) [Catholic Caucus]
HISTORY OF THE ROSARY [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]

The Rosary-a tool for evangelization [Catholic Caucus]
OUR LADY AND HEAVEN’S PEACE PLAN (Say the Rosary) [Ecumenical]
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding in the Temple (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Nativity (Patristic Rosary)
Praying the Holy Rosary in October
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annuniciation (Patristic Rosary)
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] On the Rosary
Lists Every Catholic Should be Familiar With: 15 [20] Mysteries of the Holy Rosary & When They Are Prayed

It Was the Rosary: Mainz Priest Talks About His Vocation
Rosary to Halt Construction of NYC Mosque (Catholic Caucus)
British Soldier Shot in Afghanistan is Saved by His ROSARY...Like His Great-Grandfather in WWII
Catholic Caucus: Rosary Beads Saved My Life, British Soldier Says
British soldier shot in Afghanistan is saved my his ROSARY
Rosary returned to Vietnam vet as pledged 44 years ago
Rosary for the Bishop celebrates six months of prayer, global expansion
Rosary Rallies for Priests Give Final Flourish to Their Special Year (ECUMENICAL)
The Unseen Power of the Rosary
Worldwide Rosary Relay to Offer Prayer for Priests

Boy Suspended For Rosary -- Reinstated
NY school sued after teen suspended over rosary
Student Suspended for Wearing Rosary Beads
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] The 3:30 Beads!
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Private Devotions to Mary: The Rosary
Benedict XVI Promotes Rosary in Fatima [Catholic Caucus]
Archbishop Naumann, Bishop Finn Lead Mother's Day Rosary at Planned Parenthood
Did the Apostles Pray the Rosary? (First Novena to the Holy Spirit?) [Catholic Caucus]
The Importance of the Meditated Holy Rosary -- What the Popes have to say [Catholic Caucus]
A Ladder from Earth to Heaven: The Rosary for All Christians

Jesus is in the Holy Rosary
The Rosary, a powerful weapon against the devil
History of The Scriptural Rosary [Ecumenical]
The Lord Is with Thee
Rosary of Our Lady's Tears(Catholic Prayer Thread)
The Rosary and Me - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
Rosary promoted as path to Christ and peace [at third annual Rosary Bowl NW]
The Efficacy and Power of One Hail Mary [Ecumenical]
“ Let Us Do It!“ (Sunday: Rosary to be simultaneously prayed on five continents)
The Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary

[Catholic Caucus] One Million Rosaries
The Family Rosary [Try it for Lent!] (Catholic Caucus)
History of the Scriptural Rosary - Meditating on The Word
Rosary Resurgence [Ecumenical]
Beginning Catholic: How to Pray the Rosary: Contemplating Christ With Mary [Ecumenical]
[Oregon] Rosary Bowl focuses on links between prayer, evangelization
Praying the Rosary By Bishop Fulton J. Sheen(Catholic Caucus)
Rosary-Prayers Aiming to Break Record [Catholic Caucus]
Rosary vs. Repetitious Prayer [Ecumenical]
The Luminous Mysteries [of the Rosary]: Knowing Jesus in His Public Ministry

Rosary Is a School of Mary, Says Pope: Encourages Recitation [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
New campaign launched to promote family rosary
The Rosary and the Republic
Chant the Rosary... in Latin!
(...)and the rosary
Estimated 50,000 recite rosary in event at Rose Bowl
Our Lady of Victory (HLI Page)
Rosary to Mark St. Martha's Feast
Pray the Rosary
Rosary Aids Spiritual Growth, Says Pope

Remembering Lepanto
The Battle that Saved the Christian West (October 7, 1571: Battle of Lepanto)
Battle of Lepanto: Armada of the Cross
Remember Lepanto
How Europe Escaped Speaking Arabic
Bishop compares election to Battle of Lepanto
Bishop compares election to Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto
Civilization in the Balance: The Battle of Lepanto and Election ‘08
LEPANTO

A Call To Prayer: This Lepanto Moment [Repost]
Lepanto, 1571: The Battle That Saved Europe
Celebrating the Battle of Lepanto
Clash of civilizations: Battle of Lepanto revisited
Lepanto, Bertone e Battesimo, Oh My!
Lepanto Sunday
Our Lady of the Rosary of La Naval (A Mini-Lepanto in the Philippines)
Swiss Guards at the Battle of Lepanto, 7 October 1571
Battle of Lepanto
LEPANTO, 7 OCTOBER 1571: The Defense of Europe

Battle of Lepanto
Remember Lepanto!
The Battle of Lepanto
On This Day In History, The Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto
Chesterton's Lepanto
The Miracle At Lepanto...
Lepanto
The Naval Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto

Zenit.org

Love Dictates Us to Love

Lectio Divina: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Paris, October 24, 2014 (Zenit.org) Monsignor Francesco Follo | 634 hits

Roman Rite - XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A - October 26, 2014

Ex 22.21-27; Ps 18; 1 Thes 1.5-10; Mt 22, 34-40

Ambrosian Rite - Sunday after the Dedication - 'The missionary mandate'

Acts 10, 34-48a; Ps 95; 1, 17b-1 Cor 24; Lk 24, 44-49a

1) The total Love.

Jesus lived among men, and He, the Emmanuel, stays just because He loves us. To realize this love and live it we must first of all be humble. The humble person, like a child, feels "instinctively" the ones who love him, trusts them, and is happy when they come. Even his face is transformed by the joy and shows sadness when they leave. The humble people, listen to Christ because they understand that He came for them to bring the joyful good news of God's Love. Nobody had talked to them like He did. Nobody had shown so much love for them.

When Jesus had finished speaking, the elderly, the Pharisees, the men who could read and earn, shook their heads as ill omen, got up grimacing and winking to each other annoyed and outraged, muttering a cautious disapproval.

But no one laughed for fear of the last ones: the Poor, the Shepherds, the Farmers, the Blacksmiths, the Fishermen, the Lepers, in short, the Rejected. They could not take their eyes off Jesus. They would have liked him to continue speaking, because a solace of light was (and is) coming from His wise words of love.

Jesus tells these words of love also to those who interrogate him, even if they do it to test him. To the doctor of the Law that asks, "Teacher, in the Law, which is the greatest commandment?1" Jesus gives a simple and effective answer and quotes two verses from the Torah, the document that encloses the experience of Israel. He reminds us that only by loving God with all ourselves we will be able to truly love others, because we would love them with the same love of God. Christ insists that our heart, soul and mind are attracted by God's eternal love, and also tells us that between the two ancient and well-known commands, the second is similar to the first. The neighbor then becomes similar to God, and has voice and heart "similar" to God. God does not reserve the space in our hearts only for Him, but amplifies it and makes us capable of loving fully our neighbor: the wife, the husband, the children, the friends, the brothers and the sisters of the community.

To the wise man of the Law Jesus responds like a wise man of the heart. He knows that a creature needs a lot of love to live well. He offers his Gospel as a way to fullness and happiness in this life. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind" (Mt 22, 37). We find this sentence three times in the Gospel of Matthew, four times in the one of Mark who adds "with all your strength" (Mk 12, 30). Jesus says that the only measure of love is to love without measure. If we love God without half-measures, the heart is capable of loving our family, our friends and ourselves. God is not jealous, he does not steal our heart but he multiplies it. Fullness does not mean exclusivity, then:

Love God

- With all your heart: Jesus does not speak of the "heart" with the meaning that today we would give to this word. He uses it in the biblical sense, as a term that expresses the deepest reality of the human being. "To love God with all your heart" means to turn one's whole being and his or her actions towards God, in a burst of love.

- "With all your soul,2" which means life, our "intimate space" inhabited by God. "Love is the wing that God gave to the soul to rise up to him" (Michelangelo Buonarroti ). The one who loves with the soul, sees better with his or her eyes and his or her love is pure.

- With all your mind, which includes thoughts and intelligence. Love makes cleverer, able to understand better and to go deeper and farther.

- With all your strength, which means the set of all energies. Love makes us strong and able to face any obstacle and effort.

2) Two characteristics of true love: gratitude and gratuity.

In the Gospel of Matthew, that the liturgy offers today, we find Jesus dealing with the Pharisees, who lived in the temptation to reduce moral to a set of rules, worrying about external appearance. The response of the Messiah is simple and effective. He quotes two verses from the Old Testament, the Torah, which encloses the experience of Israel, reminding us that only by loving God with all of ourselves we will be able to truly love our neighbor, because we will love him with the same love of God.

Where to start to love? From letting us be loved by Him, who enters and expands the walls of the small vessel that is each one of us. We are the loved who become lovers of Christ. The result, as seen in a loving couple in which one loves what the other loves, is that we love what Christ loves. And not only that; we must love as He loves.

We must live Christ as the model of our lives. And what does it mean that Christ is the ideal of our life? He is the model for the way we treat people, the way we live affection and the way we understand life and look at things and people and the way in which we live the relationships in our family, in the parish community and in the workplace. Christ as the model of life has two characteristics that are not the only ones, but today I want to stress these: gratitude and gratuity.

A grateful heart is always a faithful heart and the ability to be grateful and to say "thank you" is, I think, the sign of Christian maturity.

There are moments in life - I believe for everyone- in which one already here on earth experiences 'paradise', the true greatness and beauty of man. It is when we feel loved by someone else (mom, dad, boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, and husband). It is an experience of love, the true one, the one of the heart, which I have no doubt to compare to a 'taste' of Paradise and to say that the best way to enjoy it is to say "Thank you" recognizing that we are not the makers but that everything that is given to us. Gratitude then inserts in us gratuity: we love without thinking of being loved. We look to the Other and to the others, as the Virgin Mary looks to Christ, not because He belongs to her but because He is there.

This is the absolute purity. Let us humbly make the effort to put ourselves in this absolute purity. It is a gratuity of purity that makes life incorruptible. In gratuitousness the human relationship is not null and void because with Christ and in Christ we are not together for interest, calculation or profit, but by faith and love.

Of course, the love of God is the greatest and the first: the primacy of God is affirmed without hesitation. Love for others comes second. In saying, however, that "the second is like the first," Jesus states that between the two feelings there is a very close relationship.

Surely there is a different measure: the love of God is "with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind." The love of man is "like yourselves." Totality belongs only to the Lord: He alone is to be worshiped. But to belong to Lord cannot be without love for humanity. These are not two parallel commandments simply pushed together. It is not even enough to say that the second is based on the first. It is much more: the second realizes the first.

We can see an example of how to live these two commandments in the consecrated Virgins in the world. Their lifestyle is to start from their consecration to God and to speak always of God primarily with the testimony of their life. These women show that God must always be put first, and that man is made for God. This is what should never be forgotten, even where poverty and injustice are big and where society tends to build the world without God. This way of doing is always against humanity. These consecrated people live life as a mission, and with the grace of God show that it is possible to love chastely, to forgive fully and to serve joyfully and freely. In them the heart took the lead, but it is the Heart of Christ.

1 It is useful to remember that the rabbis had formulated from the Torah 613 laws so as to apply to all possible situations of life the primary rules of the 10 commandments. Of course, even the most rigorously observant Jew was lost in the forest of requirements and therefore the Jewish teachers were trying to identify a hierarchy, relevant distinctions and above all, a unifying principle for so many rules. Hence here the question presented to Jesus.

2 In the New Testament "psyche" = soul is a term used to denote life, real life, a person. See the concise, but clear and complete discussion in Critical Dictionary of Theology, edited by Jean-Yves Lacoste in the session "heart-soul-body." Keep in mind that with the words "heart, soul, mind, strength" Jesus does not intend much to make a lesson of anthropology listing the different faculties involved in love, but rather to insist on the only important thing, which is to love God with our whole being.

---

Patristic Reading

John Chrysostom

Homily LXXI on Matthew 22, 34 26

“But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together; and one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Again doth the evangelist express the cause, for which they ought to have held their peace, and marks their boldness by this also. How and in what way? Because when those others were put to silence, these again assail Him. For when they ought even for this to hold their peace, they strive to urge further their former endeavors,1 and put forward the lawyer, not desiring to learn, but making a trial of Him, and ask, “What is the first commandment?”

For since the first commandment was this, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,” thinking that He would afford them some handle, as though He would amend it, for the sake of showing that Himself too was God, they propose the question. What then saith Christ? Indicating from what they were led to this; from having no charity, from pining with envy. from being seized by jealousy, He saith, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God. This is the first and great commandment.2 And the second is like unto this3 Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”4

But wherefore “like unto this?” Because this makes the way for that, and by it is again established; “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light;’5 and again, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” And what in conssequence of this? “They are corrupt, and become abminable in their ways.”6 And again, “The love of money is the root of all evils; which while some coveted after they have erred from the faith; “7 and, “He that loveth me, will keep my commandment.”8

But His commandments, and the sum of them, are, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and thy neighbor as thyself.” If therefore to love God is to love one’s neighbor, “For if thou lovest me,” He saith, “O Peter, feed my sheep,”9 but to love one’s neighbor worketh a keeping of the commandments, with reason doth He say, “On these hang all the law and the prophets.”10

So therefore what He did before, this He doth here also. I mean, that both there, when asked about the manner of the resurrection, He also taught a resurrection, instructing “For charity envieth not.”11 By this He shows Himself to be submissive both to the law and to the prophets.

But wherefore doth Matthew say that he asked, tempting Him, but Mark the contrary? “For when Jesus,” he saith, “saw that he answered discretly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.”12

1 ejpagwnivzontai toi`" protevroi").

2 [R. V., following a different reading, “great and first.”]

3 [The text varies from the received slightly, as well as from the reading accepted in the R. V.—R.]

4 .

5 Jn 3,20.

6 Ps 53,1.

7 1Tm 6,10.

8 Jn 14,15. [The paraphrase given above confirms the rendering of the R..V, “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.”—R.]

9 Jn 21,16-17.

10 Mt 22,40.

11 1Co 13,4.

12 Mc 12,34.

Arlington Catholic Herald

GOSPEL COMMENTARY MT 22:34-40

The face of Christ

Fr. Jerry Pokorsky

What did Jesus look like? There are no photographs or paintings of Christ. There are no sculpted images. He posed for no fresco artisan. The image on the Shroud of Turin may seem persuasively real, but there is no absolute assurance of its authenticity. It remains a kind of “divine tease.” We only can surmise the reason that the Lord prevented an absolutely reliable image of Himself. But is it even possible — or praiseworthy — to hope to somehow see the face of Christ?

Even before the age of modern photography, there were many trustworthy images of great men. There are sculpted images of Julius Caesar and masterpiece paintings of popes and kings. Today, every dollar bill carries the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington. And today, the depictions of prominent personages by the great artists are ever more accessible in books and the Internet.

It is perhaps instructive, as an intellectual exercise, to reconstruct a famous image — without the help of Internet pixels — by using memory alone. What does the Mona Lisa look like? We might be able to reproduce the image imperfectly by memory. The details are probably sketchy; the hair, the eyes, the colors form but a blur in our mental reconstruction. Perhaps Mona Lisa’s smile is easily remembered, if difficult to describe. Is it a pensive smile? Is it a knowing smile? Is it a smile at all? Regardless of how we describe the details of the image, the painting remains unchanged. The painting itself does not depend upon our subjective definitions. But, for purposes of this reconstructive mental exercise, our conceptual definitions are all we have.

Understanding the Catholic faith is something like that. The “deposit of faith” handed down after the death of the last apostle is objective or, as the cliche goes, “It is what it is.” But in every age, the deposit must, in a sense, be “reconstructed” for viewing, often using time-hallowed dogmatic words such as “transubstantiation.” This is the role of Catholic doctrine or dogma. If we take the time to understand the role of doctrine is to portray — using conceptual statements — the “image” of the deposit of faith received by the apostles, we can better appreciate the value and beauty of church teaching. Just as densely packed computer pixels provide a clearer photo image without daring to distort the image in any way, highly refined church teachings provide an ever more precise image of the true and unchanging faith. This is why Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor refers to church dogmas fondly as “windows to the infinite.”

Interestingly, after the Catechism of the Catholic Church was published by the Vatican in 1985, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger described how the catechism provides a “depiction” of Christ Himself. In this, we leap beyond imaging the deposit of faith, to imaging the very person of Christ. Of course, we may think of biographical works as providing similar images, whereas the catechism is not strictly a biographical work. The catechism not only provides the historical and dogmatic statements about Christ, but also teaches us how to behave and live. The moral section is a key part in reconstructing an authentic image of Christ.

In the Gospel, Christ reveals (and confirms Old Testament teaching) that loving God and neighbor are foundational to the law. God’s law and His love are inseparable. Psalm 119 is a veritable hymn on the joy of knowing and living God’s law: “Oh, how I love your law. I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.”

Later in the Gospel, Christ tells His disciples that if they really love Him, they will keep His commandments (cf. Jn 14:15). This is crucial. Attention to and living God’s law is not at all a question of “mindless legalism” or burdensome restrictions on human freedom. Quite the opposite. God’s law liberates us to live in His love and, in a truly mystical and astounding way, provides a means to see the very face of Christ. Again, Psalm 119 provides us with an Old Testament clue: “You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart.”

There is something firm and reliable — even non-negotiable — in seeking the face of Christ through His law and love. Over time, and with study and prayer, it becomes clear His face is completely incompatible with evil or with idolatry, impiety, murder, adultery, thievery, dishonesty or any kind of impurity. These can only disfigure and crucify a tenderly loving and beautiful face.

But in choosing God’s law, we ourselves become good. And if we grow in God’s goodness, we become more of what God destined us to be — not only living His law in love, but also reflecting His divinity. In every good act we see the hand of a loving God. And in every truly virtuous person we see a hint of the unblemished face of Christ.

Fr. Pokorsky is pastor of St. Michael Church in Annandale.

The Work of God

Year A - 30th Sunday in ordinary time

Love God and love your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 22:34-40

34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,
35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
36 "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
37 He said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
38 This is the greatest and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
(NRSV)

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

I want you to write this in your heart: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength. Then love your neighbor as yourself.”

The first commandment of the law is to love God, but let us examine this love with the eyes of the spirit.

To love God with all your heart implies loving with every beat of your heart. But how many times has your heart been beating for your sinful desires, how many times have you treasured things of the world or persons and placed them in your heart, therefore taking away the place that is mine?

You are a temple of my Spirit, but how many times have you invited the evil spirits of your passions to fill my temple with your wickedness and how many times have you rejected my love?

To love God with all your mind implies that you think constantly of me. It is asking you to thank me daily for the gift of life, for the gifts that you receive during the day and for the gifts that you will receive when you live your life for me. But do you live for me? Do you think of me more than you think about your money, or your possessions, or the persons that you love or your worries and fears?

To love God with all your soul implies that you live a life consecrated to me. The soul is your eternal body, unlike your physical body it is the temple of your spirit and it is either full of light with my presence or it becomes dark with the presence of the evil one.

Your soul has been contaminated with your sins, I have the power to forgive you and restore you to purity, but I ask of you not to sin anymore.

To love God with all your strength implies combining all your physical and mental faculties to express your love and adoration to God. True worshippers worship in spirit and in truth, they understand that it is God calling in their hearts and they respond like the angels, therefore ensuring their salvation by living holy lives.

Your love for God must not be contaminated with self-love. You love yourself up to the point of becoming selfish, which is really bad. But let this love of yourself be the measure for the love you must give to your neighbor. When you pray for your desires, make this also a prayer for your neighbor.

You cannot love me unless you love your neighbor, therefore start by forgiving those who have wronged you, be kind and compassionate, be generous. Remember that you will find me very easily in the needs of others.

Start a new life making up for the love you have denied me, love me and in this way you will experience my unfailing infinite love.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary

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