Pastors Note
Loving God, Neighbor, and One’s Self
The commandment of love
Jesusʼ reply to the Pharisee lawyer expresses traditional wisdom. The first commandment, called the Shemaʻ after its first word in Hebrew, is found in Deuteronomy, where it is followed by the injunction:
“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
– Deuteronomy 6:6-9”
It was a pious practice to wear a small container with this text inside. It was worn on the forehead as a reminder to keep the command always before oneʼs eyes. It was worn on the arm as a reminder to act always in accordance with it. A mezuzah which contained the text of the Shemaʻ was also hung at the entrance to the home.
The importance of the second commandment, which is a quotation from Leviticus 19:18, is borne out by the following tradition concerning Rabbi Hillel the Elder who died when Jesus was in his early teens. Asked to give a summary of the Law, he is said to have replied:
What you yourself hate, do not do to your neighbors. This is the whole Law, and the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
Loving God, Neighbor, and One’s Self
The commandment of love
Jesusʼ reply to the Pharisee lawyer expresses traditional wisdom. The first commandment, called the Shemaʻ after its first word in Hebrew, is found in Deuteronomy, where it is followed by the injunction:
“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
– Deuteronomy 6:6-9”
It was a pious practice to wear a small container with this text inside. It was worn on the forehead as a reminder to keep the command always before oneʼs eyes. It was worn on the arm as a reminder to act always in accordance with it. A mezuzah which contained the text of the Shemaʻ was also hung at the entrance to the home.
The importance of the second commandment, which is a quotation from Leviticus 19:18, is borne out by the following tradition concerning Rabbi Hillel the Elder who died when Jesus was in his early teens. Asked to give a summary of the Law, he is said to have replied:
What you yourself hate, do not do to your neighbors. This is the whole Law, and the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
Pastors Note
Forgiveness! Poor Peter, sometimes you never ask Jesus a question unless you are prepare for the answer. How hard it is to forgive. Forgiveness reminds me of how we are to love our neighbor as we love our self. For me the two are linked and it begins with ourselves. If we can’t love our self, if we can’t forgive our self how much more will the challenge be to love myself how much more will it be to forgive myself. This image to the right speaks volumes. It’s all about freedom. Letting go, putting ourselves aside and letting God work in and through us. We are never truly free unless we allow God to free us and allow Christ words transform us.
Forgiveness! Poor Peter, sometimes you never ask Jesus a question unless you are prepare for the answer. How hard it is to forgive. Forgiveness reminds me of how we are to love our neighbor as we love our self. For me the two are linked and it begins with ourselves. If we can’t love our self, if we can’t forgive our self how much more will the challenge be to love myself how much more will it be to forgive myself. This image to the right speaks volumes. It’s all about freedom. Letting go, putting ourselves aside and letting God work in and through us. We are never truly free unless we allow God to free us and allow Christ words transform us.
CURIOUS ABOUT CHRISTIANITY?
Get the answers in the comfort of wherever you access the internet. This "big picture" overview will cover such subjects as: The purpose of life; Jesus; Holy Spirit; how to pray; reading the Bible; God's healing, etc. See an informative video and participate in an open and frank discussion at a 90-minute evening meeting via internet starting Monday, September 14. Ten meetings will follow until November 23 (not necessary to attend all meetings). Participation recommended for those who are "occasional" Christians or the curious. Participation implies NO commitment to the Catholic Church. Content has been developed by <Alphausa.org> and is hosted by local parishioners and the Diocese of Ogdensburg. It is hoped that, as you read this article, you know of someone who would benefit from this experience AND that you will encourage him/her to contact Pat Fanning at 315-788-1101 to get more information. Hurry!! First meeting is Monday, September 14.
Get the answers in the comfort of wherever you access the internet. This "big picture" overview will cover such subjects as: The purpose of life; Jesus; Holy Spirit; how to pray; reading the Bible; God's healing, etc. See an informative video and participate in an open and frank discussion at a 90-minute evening meeting via internet starting Monday, September 14. Ten meetings will follow until November 23 (not necessary to attend all meetings). Participation recommended for those who are "occasional" Christians or the curious. Participation implies NO commitment to the Catholic Church. Content has been developed by <Alphausa.org> and is hosted by local parishioners and the Diocese of Ogdensburg. It is hoped that, as you read this article, you know of someone who would benefit from this experience AND that you will encourage him/her to contact Pat Fanning at 315-788-1101 to get more information. Hurry!! First meeting is Monday, September 14.
Pastors note
I want to thank everyone again at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. It has probably been about a month since I arrived back on July 10th. So much is happening even in these trying times. I enjoy our community celebrations at mass on the weekend as well as on the weekdays. I know we are limited but to be able to come and gather is such a blessing. There was a bit of a concern in the office upstairs last week related to the COVID 19 but turned out negative. Though it calmed our stress level we realized we needed to implement additional protocols when entering the Parish Center. Please be patient with us as we navigate through these trying times.
This weekend please take note of our Financial Review and Report. This year will be a challenging year I’m sure for everyone especially for our parish. Please look over the insert and plan to support the parish in anyway you can this coming year. Thank you all again for all your support for me but also most importantly our parish, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
I want to thank everyone again at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. It has probably been about a month since I arrived back on July 10th. So much is happening even in these trying times. I enjoy our community celebrations at mass on the weekend as well as on the weekdays. I know we are limited but to be able to come and gather is such a blessing. There was a bit of a concern in the office upstairs last week related to the COVID 19 but turned out negative. Though it calmed our stress level we realized we needed to implement additional protocols when entering the Parish Center. Please be patient with us as we navigate through these trying times.
This weekend please take note of our Financial Review and Report. This year will be a challenging year I’m sure for everyone especially for our parish. Please look over the insert and plan to support the parish in anyway you can this coming year. Thank you all again for all your support for me but also most importantly our parish, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Welcome Father Frank Natale MSC
Contact Us
|
|
