Love Shown in Action

Do you receive the word of God with joy as the Thessalonians did? Their faith showed in their actions. They became models for other believers.

The first reading tells us to put our faith into action. This passage is part of a long list of ordinances God commanded the Israelites to observe. God will judge us by how we treat our neighbors. God will hear the cries o any whom we neglect or mistreat and will come to their defense.

In today’s Gospel the Pharisees put the question of God’s law to Jesus. “Which commandment of the law is the greatest?” (Matthew 22:36) How could he possibly choose from all the detailed commandments the Jews observed? He was sure to offend somebody by his answer! Of course, Jesus went right to the heart of the matter. Love is the greatest commandment—love of God and love of neighbor. Everything else is based on this.