The scribes and Pharisees thought they excelled in holiness. They fasted and tithed (Lk 11:42). They dedicated themselves to reading Scripture. They had zeal for God's house. However, they neglected "the love of God" (Lk 11:42).
This means two things. First, the scribes and Pharisees were rightly concerned about God's Word and the Temple, but placed a lower priority on His love. They found it more important to concentrate on other parts of their religion rather than on God's command to love their neighbor (Lv 19:18). To neglect the love of neighbor is to neglect God. In fact, "the man without love has known nothing of God, for God is love" (1 Jn 4:8).
Second, and most important, by neglecting the love of God the scribes and Pharisees neglected to personally love God. The first and most important commandment is to love God before all else (Dt 6:5). They served God but neglected to love Him.
What about you? Is there anything today more important in your life than loving God? How much priority did you place on loving God yesterday? Life is full of distractions, responsibilities, and problems which demand our time and attention. In addition, Satan attempts to prevent us from taking time to love God. Yet those who fall in love always manage to find plenty of time to spend with their beloved. If we want to love God, then we have chosen the best part, and we shall not be deprived of loving Him (Lk 10:42). Love God.
| PRAYER: | Father, nothing can separate me from loving You (Rm 8:39) except my own choice. I devote myself to love You always. |
| PROMISE: | "Happy are you who fear the Lord." –Ps 128:1 |
| PRAISE: | St. Augustine gave up his mistress, his hedonism, and his secular philosophizing and found total fulfillment in serving his Lord. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College