Good Samaritan
Vincent van Gogh, 1890

My dear friends, today I would like to speak about love from a spiritual context, as we reflect on the message found in Matthew 22:34-40. In this passage, Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, and he responded by saying, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." These two commandments are intertwined, and they hold a great significance in our spiritual lives.

What is love from a spiritual context? Love is the foundation of spirituality. Love is the essence of our being, and it is the force that connects us to one another and to the divine. Love is not just a feeling, but an action. It is the act of selflessness, compassion, and kindness towards all living beings. Love is the way we express our deepest emotions, and it is the way we connect with the divine.

What does it mean to love God? Loving God means acknowledging the divine presence within us and all around us. It means surrendering our egos and opening our hearts to the divine will. Loving God means being grateful for the blessings that we have received and trusting that the divine will always guide us towards the path of righteousness. When we love God, we love all that God has created.

What does it mean to love my neighbor as myself? Loving our neighbor means treating others with the same kindness and compassion that we would like to receive. It means recognizing that we are all connected, and that the suffering of one person affects us all. Loving our neighbor means putting aside our differences and embracing our shared humanity. It means being willing to help others, even when it is inconvenient or difficult.

Who is my neighbor in this context? Our neighbor is not just the person who lives next door to us or shares our beliefs. Our neighbor is every person that we encounter in our lives. Our neighbor is the person who is different from us, the person who is in need, and the person who is suffering. Our neighbor is every living being on this planet, and our love should extend to all of them.

My dear friends, let us remember that love is the foundation of our spiritual lives. Let us love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and let us love our neighbor as ourselves. When we love, we become instruments of the divine will, and we bring peace, harmony, and happiness to the world around us. May we always be guided by love, and may we always be a source of love to others.