Reflection for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time…October 31, 2021

By Theresa Homan, Notre Dame Associate

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and withall your strength.”

I’ve often struggled with what it means to love God. If love is an act of the will, not just a warm emotion, I can will good for other people, but how do I will good for God who is all good? How do I love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength? The following are some questions for reflection:

What desires and causes burn in my heart? What excites and incites me to action? Are these things for the greater good? Do they further the reign of God? And my soul, what brings freedom to my soul, and
a oneness with all that is? How do I nurture these things? I can love God with my mind by educating myself for the advancement of peace and justice. What am I reading, listening to, or watching? How does it affect my world view? And on what do I use my strength? Lending a helping hand? Planting a garden or a flower? Using my eye muscles to look with love on someone or something?

How am I loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength?

May God grant eternal joy to all saints and all souls!