Love as Commandments: Reflecting on Matthew 22:34–40 — Daily Diary
Date: 29th October 2023
Morning
Woke up with a sense of gratitude, and today’s verses in focus were from Matthew 22:34–40. I read the verses during my morning prayer and they resonated deeply:
“But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
It made me ponder on the essence of our existence — love. Love for our Creator and love for one another. As I made my morning tea, I thought of all the times I may have prioritized the many “do’s and don’ts” over the simple act of loving unconditionally.
Afternoon
At work, I encountered challenging situations and diverse personalities. Remembering the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” helped guide my responses and decisions. During lunch, I engaged in a discussion with a colleague about the importance of empathy and understanding in our relationships. We shared stories of when we felt truly seen and loved, and it was a testament to how powerful these verses truly are in our daily lives.
Evening
As I returned home, I reflected on my relationships with my family and close friends. Am I expressing love towards them with the same intensity and purity as the commandments suggest? Tonight, I made an effort to spend quality time with my family, actively listening to them, and showing them love in small, tangible ways.
Before heading to bed, I spent some quiet moments in prayer, asking for the strength to love more deeply and authentically. The verses from Matthew acted as a gentle reminder that, while the world is vast and complicated, the essence of our faith and life is simple: Love God, and love one another.
Thought for the Night
Today the verses from Matthew 22:34–40 became the focal point of meditation and reflection. These verses emphasize the paramount importance of love in two distinct but deeply interconnected dimensions: Love for God and love for one’s neighbor.
The morning began with a reading of the verses, leading to reflections on the essence of human existence and the centrality of love. The teachings acted as a guide, especially when faced with the intricate balance between the complexities of religious mandates and the straightforwardness of unconditional love.
During the day, these reflections were put into practice at work, navigating through challenging situations and engaging in discussions about empathy and the significance of mutual understanding in human relationships. These teachings became a tool to shape interactions, highlighting the importance of “loving one’s neighbor.”
In the evening, personal relationships became the focus. The verses prompted a deeper assessment of familial bonds and friendships, pushing for more genuine expressions of love and understanding. The day culminated in a prayerful reflection, seeking strength to embody the teachings more fully and to center life around the core tenets of love as taught in Matthew 22:34–40.
To truly understand the depth and simplicity of our faith, I need to love without boundaries or conditions, just as I am loved by God. Tomorrow, I aim to embrace these commandments even more, making them the core of all my actions and thoughts.
