31st Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024

 

About ten years ago, I visited Israel for the first time. While there, I noticed that many doorways had a small container fixed to the doorpost. 

My guide explained it was called a mezuzah, containing a tiny scroll with the words of the Shema, a prayer from Deuteronomy: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone!”

Whenever devout Jews would enter or exit that doorway they will touch that box containing that scroll as a daily reminder of God’s presence and a call to love Him with all one’s heart, soul, and strength. 

Inspired, I started installing a mezuzah on the doorpost whenever I move into a new rectory. 

Now, whenever I see or touch it, I remember this command to love God and love my neighbor—a reminder I need every day.

In our readings today, we hear the same Shema prayer that is still central to the Jewish faith. Moses tells the people, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.” 

And in the Gospel, when asked which commandment is the greatest, Jesus repeats this commandment and adds, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

These words echo across thousands of years, reminding us of what it means to live as God’s people. 

But why do we need reminders? 

It’s because love—true, sacrificial love—doesn’t come naturally to us. Loving God with everything we have and loving our neighbor as ourselves requires daily renewal. 

We need reminders that pull us back to this radical calling of faith.

When Jesus tells us to love God with all our heart, He is asking us to place God at the very center of our lives. It’s not just about Sunday worship; it’s about our entire being. 

Loving Him with all our soul calls us to seek His presence in prayer and to find solace in His Word. 

Loving Him with all our mind means learning about our faith, understanding what God asks of us, and sharing that wisdom with others. 

And to love with all our strength means to dedicate our efforts, our talents, and even our weaknesses to His service.

Yet, Jesus joins this love of God to love of neighbor. In fact, He’s telling us we can’t fully love God if we don’t love those around us. 

This can be a challenging call. We might find it easy to love those who love us back, but what about those who test our patience, who differ from us, or who challenge us? 

Jesus calls us to embrace them, to show mercy, to forgive, and to see their dignity as God’s children.

In our second reading, we are reminded of the One who fulfills these commandments perfectly: Jesus, our High Priest, who lives forever to intercede for us. 

His love cost everything. He sacrificed Himself for us, not only as a reminder of love but as a way to bring us back to God.

As we reflect on these words today, let’s remember that reminders—whether it’s a mezuzah on a doorpost, a cross on a wall, or even a simple prayer card—help us live out these two great commandments. 

They’re not just words; they are the foundation of our faith. This week, let’s ask ourselves: How can I love God more fully? How can I love my neighbor as myself?

May we each hear Jesus’ words and understand them deeply so that we, too, are “not far from the kingdom of God.”