Friday of the Third Week

Reflection

Put God first and love others as yourself – the most important of the commandments. This commandment seems simple and straightforward, yet many people think that this commandment is too hard. They say people are too busy to pray and too busy to get to Mass. They think putting God first makes things too complicated.

It might be simpler if God had a Twitter account to send us daily messages. However, God sends us “tweets” all the time – when we see a sunrise or a sunset, snow-covered mountains, a baby’s smile or hearing a child laugh. All we need to do is respond, “Thanks God, I love you too.” It seems pretty simple.

When you love someone, you want to spend time with them talking, sharing a meal, and being nourished and strengthened. One can talk with God in prayer, come together in God’s name at Mass and be nourished by Christ in the Eucharist. It seems pretty simple.

In loving God, we respond out of love for God through our actions. In simple acts of kindness, one can bring God’s light into another’s darkened day. A simple act such as holding the door, saying thank you, asking someone how his/her day was and really listening to the answer or offering a hand to someone can provide a powerful message of God’s call to love and thus, His love for us. It seems pretty simple.

Love God completely and above all things. Love your neighbor as yourself. It really is that simple.

Prayer

God help me to remember how much I love You and give me the strength to show it to You in the way You deserve.

  

Lucia Thomas, ‘16

Scripture

First Reading: Hosea 14:2-10

Psalm 81:6c-11b, 14, 17

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website