Thirty-First Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet, and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

We owe everyone we meet unconditional and selfless love. Whether they are family, friends, neighbors, strangers, or even enemies… we must always love others as we love ourselves. Everything in our faith revolves around the virtue of love. This is why it is important for us to not only say we believe in God, but actually put that belief into action. Faith and works. It is by loving others as ourselves that we can fulfill the commandments most faithfully in spirit and truth.

Are we giving others our love without reservation? Are we allowing the Spirit of Love to inspire and guide us in our thoughts, words, and works? Have we made love the foundation upon which we build our public and private lives?

O Lord, help us to love others as ourselves.

Amen.