Scripture Readings: Exodus 22:20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40
What’s important in your life ???
A Pastor once shared that he attended a workshop and was asked to list 10 things he considered priorities in his life. Then on the other side of the paper to write down the date of the last time he actually did one of those things.
Point is: thinking about something is not close to doing something about it! (Rarely do we live our priorities)
Think of today’s Gospel: Love God, love neighbor, as yourself.
We do know it is not always easy to love, especially as Jesus asks of us… It is not easy to love another who harms you and pray for them. It is not easy to love another when they interfere with our plans. It is not easy to love another when they are “different.” …and the list can go on and on and on.
St. Francis de Sales tells us, “always put yourself in your neighbors’ place and put your neighbor in your place…. imagine yourself being the seller when you are they buyer; imagine yourself being the buyer when you are the seller. In this way you will sell and buy according to justice.”
How do we love others in real situations? Are we willing to put ourselves in the other person’s place as we want the other person to put us in theirs?
Love is not always easy, but with practice, loving as Jesus loves is possible.
How do we love as Jesus? Start small:
- Offer an act of kindness to a stranger…
- Smile more, say hello to others…
- Offer more kind words, say “yes” more…
- Be more positive in your e-mails, texts, and even snail mail…
- Speak more positive of people, especially behind their back…
- Hold the door for someone…
- Thank someone for their kindness…
- Try to understand the situation of your: spouse, child, parent, friend, co-worker, class mate, neighbor, stranger, homeless pastor, I mean – homeless person, and yes even the Pastor…
- Pray to see the other person as God does or as you want God to see you…
They say practice makes perfect. Practice these and other acts of kindness every day, starting today, and we will all be pleasantly surprised at how loving others seems to become more and more easier.
One day a woman went into a sandwich shop to buy lunch. A man who looked to be homeless opened the door for her and held it. She thanked him. As she walked by he said, “I’m hungry.”
She bought her sandwich, chips and drink and walked out of the store. The same man opened the door again. After thanking him, he said, “I’m still hungry.” Pausing, she looked into his eyes, and then handed him her lunch. Speechless for a moment, he said, “thank you.” She went back into the shop, purchased another lunch and asked if she could sit and eat with him. He agreed. They dined together, conversed, and then parted ways.