As we begin the month of November, which is traditionally the time when we remember our beloved dead, both the first reading and the Gospel quote the great prayer known as the “Shema, Israel”: “Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.” Pious Jews have a mezuzah (a tightly wound scroll containing scripture verses placed outside of the entrance door to their homes), which they touch while praying this verse from Deuteronomy. This prayer is one of the first that children memorize and is on the lips of those who are in the last moments of life.
Obviously, as a pious Jew, Jesus followed the traditions of his ancestors. As spiritual Semites, we are also invited to recall that the Lord is our God and that we should love God with our whole being and love our neighbor as ourselves. If everyone did these things, the world would be a better place.
In his writings, St. Paul often refers to the virtues of faith, hope, and love as being keys to living the Christian life. The greatest of these is love. Once we love God, we can extend that love to others and then to ourselves. Furthermore, love then enables us to have hope and practice faith.
This week, pray the Shema, Israel, and then love those you encounter as an exercise in loving God himself.
Remember to exercise your civic duty and vote this coming Tuesday, Nov. 5. That same day, we will have adoration all day to pray for our country and for those who seek public office.
You are invited to inscribe the names of your deceased loved ones in the Book of Life. They will be remembered at the Masses during November.
