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mandments “Love God” and “Love your neighbor” – are really one inseparable
commandment.
How do I love? How do I keep those commandments? Well- I guess I
bring glad
tidings to the poor
– in any way I that I am able to do so. And, who are the
poor? Maybe it is not only those without money, but the lonely, the depressed,
the angry, and I can walk with them and encourage them. “
Letting the oppressed
go free
” might simply be my forgiving a friend for hurting me and removing that
“burden” from them – showing mercy. Or maybe it means forgiving myself for
not being perfect.
Always Jesus is teaching us how to love – ourselves and others – and so ultimately
God Himself. I chose this “Peanuts” cartoon to accompany my reflection because
growing up my sister had a giant poster of it hanging on her
bedroom door. It always makes me laugh because it resonates
truth to me – how silly it is to think that we can love
“mankind” (or God) without loving individuals (which is the
challenge of course) – for aren’t we the
body of Christ
?
Prayer
Oh Dear Love,
Enfold Me
Pierce Me
Heal Me
Transform Me
Make it impossible for me not to bring you forth
Amen
_____
Mary Schimmoller
Holy Family Director of Volunteers