Jesus shows us how to love in truth God and our neighbor.  Out of love for them, he has to sweat blood and give himself wholly.

To strive and to sweat.  This is what love for God asks of us who are of the Vincentian Family (SV.EN XI:32).  That is to say, it is not enough for us to know and say that the greatest and the first commandment is:  “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”  And that the second is like it:  “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  We should also do what we know and say.

We have to accept, besides, that we cannot separate the two commandments.  That is why, to miss prayer to help a poor person is to “leave God for God” (SV.EN IX:252).  Yes, the two commandments make up the center of the whole law and the prophets.  And Pope Francis also reminds us of this.

Jesus does strive and sweat out of love for God and for us.

That we can “leave God for God” suggests that to love him means more than just praying.  We cannot use temple worship as an excuse to pass by on the other side and avoid the neighbor in need.  Nor can we take prayer as a chance to spurn others.  In fact, true worship entails help for those who are poor and the prayer that pleases God means justice and good for all.   

And Jesus, of course, practices such worship and prayer.  He embodies devotion to the Father and charity for humans (SV.EN VI:413).  That is why he has to exert effort, stretch out his arms on the cross, and sweat blood.  So then, he gives up his body and sheds his blood.

As he loves in such a way, he makes known to us true love, than which no love can be greater.  And as we experience this love, the proof of God’s love for us, we get to love also.  Yes, we love, for God loves us first.

Lord Jesus, grant that we strive and sweat to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

29 October 2023
30th Sunday In O.T. (A)
Ex 22, 20-26; 1 Thes 1, 5c-10; Mt 22, 34-40