Saint Mary's
Year of the Domestic Church
The love of one’s neighbor is an important part of our life of faith. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus replied: “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these (Mark 12: 30-31).”
To love one’s neighbor is to love as God loves. Within the Domestic Church, parents demonstrate this by loving their children and spouses. Family members also express this love through the mercy and forgiveness that they extend to one another. However, this love is not limited to those within your household. We must love our neighbor by going out. We must meet our neighbors where they are at.
In his address “The Parish is a Family of Families,” Pope John Paul II encouraged the faithful to reach out to their neighbor. He says: “I wish to encourage all families and parishes not to be inward-looking, not to dwell on themselves. Jesus commands us to serve our neighbor, to reach out to those in need.” This encouragement allows us to reflect on how we answer this call. How does your family or household show love to each other? Who is someone in need that your family can serve? What is something small that your family can do for those in need?