Reflection for Sunday October 29, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 22:34-40

Gospel: Matthew 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.

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Reflection:

When can you say that you truly love God? It’s when you are able to translate your love for God to love for your neighbor.

The perfection of your love for God reaches its zenith when you unconditionally love your neighbor. Thus, you don't only love those who are lovable to your eyes; you also love even those who are not, even those who do nothing but hurt you.

Love that is based on the notion of reciprocal love is not anchored in the love of God. Why? Because the love of God is unconditional; it does not discriminate and loves everyone.

For example, if your spouse has been continuously hurting you and betraying your love, you will still continue to love him/her, but not based on romantic love anymore. You will continue to love him/her because you love God, and your love for your wayward spouse is no longer defined by any form of romance but rather by God’s unconditional love.

Do you really love God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas