Reading
MATTHEW 22:37-39
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
LEVITICUS 19:18
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
EPHESIANS 3:14-21
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Reflection
- John 2 reminds us of the commandment in the Old Testament, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus reminds us of this commandment as well. Identify people in your life who are your neighbors.
- How are you loving your neighbor? In what other ways can you show love to these people?
- Read Ephesians 3:14-21 again. God will grow you as you trust in him. This growth is not automatic, rather it continues over time as you cultivate a relationship with Jesus. Pray and ask God to deepen your trust in him. Share with him where you have not loved your neighbors well and ask him to provide opportunities for you to show love to others.