31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

​We will hear proclaimed this weekend the great commandment: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might,” as recorded in the Book of Deuteronomy (chapter 6, verse 5).  Long before the coming of Christ as man, taking on our human flesh, God gave this commandment to the people, through Moses.
 
Centuries later, when a scribe approached Jesus, asking him which is the first or greatest of all the commandments, Jesus answered with the very words from Deuteronomy, well known to the scribe, or any devout Jew for that matter.  Jesus would go on to add “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” which Jesus would have known well as coming from the Book of Leviticus (chapter 19, verse 18).
 
Each Sunday when we gather for Mass, either in person, or virtually, we are reminded of these two great commandments on our banners adorning our sanctuary here at St. Julia.  Love God.  Love people.   They truly are inseparable.  Each and every day we have numerous opportunities to show this love: in our homes, places of work, our schools, to the poor and marginalized  – everywhere. 
 
May we call upon the Holy Spirit to ignite that fire within each of us, that fire of love that can change our lives, our community, and our world.
 
May God bless each of you and those that you love.
Fr. Greg