The Word: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself." (see Luke 10:25-37)
Mystery of the day: Joyful
Celebration of the day: Our Lady of the Rosary
This Marian celebration originated from the victory of Lepanto (1571). The combined Christian fleet defeated the forces of the Turks, thus arresting their occupation of Europe. This favor was attributed by Pope St. Pius V to the recitation of the Holy Rosary. The Rosary is very pleasing to our Mother in heaven who recommends it herself. The Popes, too, greatly recommend the Rosary. The elements of the Holy Rosary are two: the meditation of the mysteries and vocal prayer. The Rosary is Mary's favourite prayer, a prayer that surely reaches her motherly heart and moves her to give abundant graces.
Table of the Word: I R.: Galatians 1:6-12
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 111:1b-2.7-8.9 and 10c (R. 5b)
Verse before the Gospel: John 13:34
Gospel: Luke 10:25-37
Inspiration: Dearest friends in Christ, the week begins with the memorial to Our Lady of Rosary, a devotion which every Catholic is expected to pay more attention to. Already we are in for the October devotion in the last 6 days with trust and hope in God through the merciful intercession of St. Joseph the patron of Holy Family and Gate keeper of God's Treasure house.
In our reflection today, we bare our minds on the part of the decalogue (the ten commandment) which also referred to as the Great Commandment, emphasizing the essence of Christian living: This entails total love of God (cf. Luke 10:27) and sincere love of neighbour (cf. Luke 10:27ff.)
In the light of this, I wish to illustrate using the image of a Cross the symbol of our salvation. The Cross in which Jesus died has two parts: The horizontal and vertical axis. The former which points to the East and West direction has to do with our relationship with one another, while the latter - vertical axis pointing to North and South directions reflects our relationship with our Creator. As the Scripture says: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4:20-21)
However, there should be inseparability of Loving God, for through the love of our neighbour that we can truly express the love we have for God. The parable in today's gospel pericope is the practical expression of the teaching of St. Paul in the first reading to the GalatiansChurch, where he outrightly condemned every other teaching that is not rooted in the love of God. (cf. Galatians 1:6-12)
Beloved in Christ, how much do you love God? Does the love of God can be found in your actions or they are mere words? Think about this and let our expression of loving Him be manifested in our relationship with one another. Peace be with you!
Let us pray
Almighty and everling God, thank You for your faithfulness and love. Grant we pray the grace to love You above every other thing so that in our day-to-day living experience with one another may prove the true love we have for You. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 07102024
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