If We All Followed His Commandments of Love

Prayer-Soldier

If We All Followed His Commandments of Love

Scripture:

And now, O Israel, hear the commandments and judgments which I teach you: that doing them, you may live, and entering in may possess the land which the Lord the God of your fathers will give you. You shall not add to the word that I speak to you, neither shall you take away from it: keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

And you shall observe, and fulfill them in practice. For this is your wisdom, and understanding in the sight of nations, that hearing all these precepts, they may say: Behold a wise and understanding people, a great nation. Neither is there any other nation so great, that has gods so near them, as our God is present to all our petitions. For what other nation is there so renowned that has ceremonies, and just judgments, and all the law, which I will set forth this day before our eyes? (Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6- Cool

Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will has he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creature.

Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be you doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation and to keep the self of one unspotted from this world. (James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27)

And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem. And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with common, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews eat not without often washing their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients. And when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat not: and many other things there are that have been delivered to them to observe, the washings of cups and of pots and of brazen vessels and of beds. And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not your disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread with common hands? But he answering, said to them: Well did Isaias prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men. For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these.

And calling again the multitude unto him, he said to them: Hear me all and understand. There is nothing from without a man that entering into him can defile him. But the things which come from a man, those are they that defile a man.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, unchastity, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man. (Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23)

Reflection:

A time will come when we will be asked, who do we follow? Will we choose to follow the commandments of the Lord or will we choose to follow another path? When we turn away from the Lord, do we understand from what we turn? Do we understand that when we turn from His commandments we open the door to evil among the people?

The commandments we are asked to follow are based in love. Each one leads us to love of God and and the children of His creation. Each one leads us to respect one another and to do no harm. Respect, love and charity brings blessings to all. Wisdom is found among those who see the blessings of the commandments so that we avoid that which drives divisions and strife. Those who find the commandments difficult struggle because they have not learned selflessness over selfishness.

Blessed are those who hear the Word, for they are exposed to what is just and right. Blessed are those who understand the Word, for they are exposed to the wisdom of the Lord. Blessed are those who are doers of the Word for what is done reflects the depths of the soul. Words may come from the lips, but if they are not fulfilled in action, they are just words. The depths of the heart are not revealed by words alone, but by the works of the hands. Blessed are the proclaimers of the Word, for they help the lost hear; but the demonstration of faith is found through what is done in praise, worship and for others.

If people truly understood the blessings of charity and love, there would be no need for the law, for everything we do would be done in love. We are called to this very ideal, but the sin which is found in us takes us elsewhere. Where we lack wisdom and strength, He gave us the law to remind us; but then, people come to resent the law for they forget the true purpose for which the law was made. Others twist the law for their own agendas, opening the door to deception weaved by false prophets and those who would lead us to evil results.

If we turn to Him in prayer, we open our hearts to that which is right and just. We open our hearts to understanding of His call to us for selfless service, charity and love. When we have this understanding, we must still face the temptations of the world around us, but through Him our strength grows and we come closer to living today what we will find in the eternal kingdom.

If all truly understood and lived His Word, the time would be at hand that we would be able to beat our swords into plowshares and the soldiers of peace and justice would no longer be required to stand in defense of the poor and innocent. No longer would there be the corruption found in government, cartels of evil or gangs of violence. Nations would not fear nations, nor would anyone seek the ways of oppression. There would be no hour when people would walk the streets in fear for there would be no one who would seek the harm of another. Those in need would find a helping hand and they would aspire to become among those who would offer help to another.

This is the ideal from which the selfish turn. They fail to understand that when they care for another, others will care for them and there will be love for all. They do not understand that the work done in charity and love is a blessing which will fill their heart beyond any selfish desire.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier