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RETURN TO THE SOURCE OF ALL LOVE

Perhaps it’s the weather, the political climate, and /or the coronavirus, love is in great need. The Gospel reading for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time asks us to return to the source of all love. Without having to think about it, we as Christians, find our ideas turning to the Source of all things, God. In the secular realm, it seems love is currently a high priority as well. These days everywhere I look and listen, on the internet, in stores, in songs on the radio I see and hear the word love.

One song written in 1967 in particular could be an anthem for this reality: All You Need is Love by the Beatles. Here is a sample of the song.

Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love

There's nothing you can do that can't be done

Nothing you can make that can't be made …… and it goes on in the same vein for many verses ending up with the refrain -
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

All you need is love

So how do the gospel reading and this song agree ? They agree that all that is needed is love. For me, they differ in the assignment of the source of the love. The Beatles song does not assign any source of love, except perhaps nature (the nature of the human person.) Considering the Gospel, Matthew gives us a plan of action.

In this passage, Jesus leaves no doubt as to from whom love originates and to whom, love in an echo of the divine, must be given,

Matthew 22:34-40

‘. . . 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.’”

This is my challenge: to love as God loves. It is also yours, if you choose to take it up.

May God bless us all on our journeys to the God of love and compassion

Sister Carla Murar