Saturday, August 06, 2011
The Greatest Commandment
Dear Friends,
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them a scholar of the law tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “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 the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew 22:34-40)
Yesterday I celebrated Holy Mass for the fiftieth anniversary of my sister Esther and her husband Leo at the Immaculate Conception Church, Palmer Road. We had a great meal after Mass in a room that was beautifully decorated. Then at 6:30 p.m. I was at the Little Shrine of Our Lady of Prince Edward Island for the rosary at 7:00 p.m. and the Healing Mass at 7:30 p.m. A good group took part and I prayed with every person present. Some came from Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and from Prince Edward Island.
Today I will celebrate Holy Mass at 9:30 a.m. and it is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I love you, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living all over the world. Love, you know, is the first and greatest commandment of God. When the Pharisee asked Me what the greatest commandment was, I had no difficulty to answer him. First you are to love the Lord God with all your heart and to love one another as you love God. True love comes directly from God. Did you know that forgiveness is very much part of love? If you cannot forgive, then you do not love truly. You need to forgive every person that hurt you in any way and indeed you will be blessed. Remember love is not self-centered but it is centered on the other. You want the best for the other person. If that person should receive a great gift, then you should rejoice with him or her. Love is the summit of following Me your Savior. I love you.”
Father Melvin