Passage of the Day:
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments,” Matthew 22:34-40.
Reflection:
For three years, Jewish religious leaders tried to deceive, trick and test Jesus’ knowledge of the Law. Today’s passage is their final attempt, seeking to make Jesus de-emphasize of the Ten Commandments. Instead, Jesus gives a modern understanding of keeping these ancient rules. Breaking the Commandments into two categories, keeping God’s Law comes down to 2 decisions: loving God and loving your neighbor. If you love God with all your heart, you will keep the first 4 commandments. Meanwhile, by loving your neighbor as yourself, you’ll uphold the final 6. When you do, love in action is charity.
Prayerful Action:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock,” Matthew 7:24-25.
Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:
As a former baseball, basketball, cross country, and golf coach, it’s easy to notice who has been practicing and who is just showing up. Sometimes the most talented athletes rely on their past successes instead of seeking to maximize their God given abilities. Unfortunately, Christians can fall into similar bad habits, going through the motions rather than hungering and thirsting for righteousness. As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount, He calls listeners to put God’s Words into action. When Christians exercise love, acts of charity follow.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
When Christians learn to become doers of the Word, they begin to emulate Jesus. May the words of What Would Jesus Do inspire love in action in the form of charity this December.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 