Daily Retreat 08/11/07
2007 Aug 11 Sat:Clare, v, rf M
Dt 6:4-13/ Ps 17(18):2-3a. 3c-4. 47 and 51/ Mt 17:14-20
From today’s readings: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.... I love you, Lord, my strength.... Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed....”
Listen!
The first reading commences with what are, for the Jewish people, the best known verses of Sacred Scripture: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength....” Faithful Jews recite these verses every day, even covering their eyes when they do so, in order to avoid any distraction.
What then, about faithful Christians? Jesus explicitly affirmed the overarching importance of this commandment (cf. Mark 12:29), which is why we immediately recognize it as the First and Greatest Commandment.
But have we taken these words to heart - is our recognition real and incarnate, or merely theoretical? In other words, have you and I truly set this commandment as the cornerstone of our existence, the principle reference point to measure and evaluate every decision and action, or are they still just words to us? Whether the eyes are opened or covered, anyone can plainly see the clear reason to listen to and pray these words every day, taking them to heart, drilling them to children, speaking of them at home and abroad, binding them close at hand, keeping them always in mind, incorporating them in our homes, and signing our very lives with their preeminent truth!
Dt 6:4-13/ Ps 17(18):2-3a. 3c-4. 47 and 51/ Mt 17:14-20
From today’s readings: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.... I love you, Lord, my strength.... Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed....”
Listen!
The first reading commences with what are, for the Jewish people, the best known verses of Sacred Scripture: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength....” Faithful Jews recite these verses every day, even covering their eyes when they do so, in order to avoid any distraction.
What then, about faithful Christians? Jesus explicitly affirmed the overarching importance of this commandment (cf. Mark 12:29), which is why we immediately recognize it as the First and Greatest Commandment.
But have we taken these words to heart - is our recognition real and incarnate, or merely theoretical? In other words, have you and I truly set this commandment as the cornerstone of our existence, the principle reference point to measure and evaluate every decision and action, or are they still just words to us? Whether the eyes are opened or covered, anyone can plainly see the clear reason to listen to and pray these words every day, taking them to heart, drilling them to children, speaking of them at home and abroad, binding them close at hand, keeping them always in mind, incorporating them in our homes, and signing our very lives with their preeminent truth!
posted by FrPitstick | 8/09/2007
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