Monday July 13th: Love of God above all else

‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me.’

Matthew 10: 34 – 11:1

Jesus said to his apostles, ‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me.’ This statement surely seems strange to us, for we are expected to love our parents dearly.

We recall the greatest commandment, where Jesus said, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ It seems, then, that he is expanding on this commandment, which he thinks is all-important.

Though it may sound confusing, when we reflect on our lives, we know that to achieve anything great, we have to sacrifice things we love. It does not mean that we stop loving those things, but to succeed, we have to focus on what is more important to us.

Jesus reminds us that love of God and love of neighbour are most important for our salvation.

Lord, teach us to observe the greatest commandment.