Why Love is the Greatest Commandment from God

Today’s gospel and homily at church was centered around a profound theme: love. During mass today, the church displayed relics of saints at the front, allowing us to approach and view/venerate those holy men and women who have come before us right after the mass. It is our faith. Among these sacred relics were some of the Apostles of Jesus, like St. Luke the physician who walked with our Lord, witnessed His truth, and recognized Him as the very embodiment of love. In their devotion, these saints even went on and gave their lives as martyrs. All these experiences served as a powerful reminder of the depth and strength of love in our faith. 

Reflecting on love, from the gospel and homily alike, it was also a reminder of the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament. The first three commandments are concerned with our relationship with God, while the remaining seven focus mostly on our relationships with each other. When Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, He responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). This teaching from Christ points to love as the ultimate foundation for all that God asks of us.

In today’s world, it seems that love is the only remedy we need more than ever. There is so much hatred and division all because of a lack of love. Self-preservation and self-centeredness often take precedence over compassion and kindness. Genuine love leaves no room for hatred, premature judgment, or division. If we truly loved one another, we would see our differences as unique expressions of God’s creation, not as reasons for hostility or fear.

God’s love for us is at the core of our faith. Out of love, He sent His Son to offer His life for our sins, an act of ultimate sacrifice. As the Bible tells us, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The blood Jesus shed on Calvary purifies and renews our hearts, which can often be darkened by selfish desires. Historically, sacrifices were often made to purify the hearts of people in families by a priest, as in the days of Moses, and many traditions still practice this today. In the Catholic faith, the Sacrament of Reconciliation offers forgiveness and renewal, drawing us back to a life aligned with God’s love.

The need for love is not merely a suggestion, it is essential. We are created to love, but that love can become distorted when we feel unloved or unappreciated. So much of the violence, anger, and indifference we see in society today stems from a lack of love. People who grow up in nurturing, loving environments are far less likely to hurt others. As 1 John 4:7-8 reminds us, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

When we live in love, compassion and empathy follow. Next time you’re out in the world, try extending love to those around you, without worrying about what you might receive in return. Any small act of kindness and love, both at home and in our communities, can create a ripple effect we may never fully see. In its truest form, love is more than just an emotional bosh or a fleeting feeling; it is a commitment and a way of life that draws us closer to God and to one another.

May God bless you abundantly on this beautiful Sunday.

I remain your Pal,  

Ronnie