Reflection 8-20-21:

Here we are finishing up the first week of school.  As we walked into the 2021-2022 school year, I know that we all did so with a new anticipation, almost hope that finally this year would be different.  This is the year that would begin our journey back to “normal” after the unpredictable, unprecedented pandemic and political year that hit our country so hard last year.  This year would be the year where it all comes back together and we would take the lessons learned from the previous year-plus and grow into a more understanding and happier people.  Maybe it’s still early yet. 

Today’s Gospel tells us about the Pharisee scholar who decided to test Jesus by asking him “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  Two things we must remember from this scripture, the first is that the Pharisee wasn’t really seeking an answer from Jesus, he was merely attempting to trip him up and use whatever answer he gave against him.  The second thing we need to remember is that when we ask Jesus something, we need to remember that the answer may not be the one we want to hear.  Jesus says in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and first commandment.  The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

I believe it may be difficult to find someone, especially in our community, who would say that they do not follow the first one of these commandments if we were to ask.  It’s an easy answer and truthfully, difficult to prove otherwise.  The second commandment however, one does not have to ask for the proof is in our actions; our words; our lives.  Whether or not we follow the second commandment can be seen in the way we treat each other, the conversations we have about people at dinners and ball games, and the decisions we make regarding other people.  Certainly many of the decisions we make daily may be amoral.  But even the little things, conversations we take part in or avoid, considerations we make or don’t for others, the shows we choose to watch or music we listen to, all these things can influence us to make certain choices. 

Jesus tried to make it easy for us.  Love God; Love each other - such a small number of requests yet, such an enormous impact on both our lives and the lives of others. 

Mr. Swann