I am not ashamed to say that I have done OK in my life. Got a great education. Graduated from Veterinary School and got a good job in a beautiful area of the country. Began a business from scratch and it became successful. Enough that I was able to retire relatively early and pursue some of my other interests, such as motorcycle riding. I was fortunate enough to find a wonderful match in Elise and the result was two great daughters. My health has been OK as well. So it would be easy to say “look at what I have accomplished”. And many in the world would agree with that statement.
But then I read this statement from today’s passages:
“When the LORD, your God, brings you into the land which he swore
to your fathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
that he would give you,
a land with fine, large cities that you did not build,
with houses full of goods of all sorts that you did not garner,
with cisterns that you did not dig,
with vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant;
and when, therefore, you eat your fill,
take care not to forget the LORD…” (Dt 6:10-12)
I did not choose my parents…or where I would live…or the genetics that allowed me to succeed at school…or Elise becoming the last person admitted to our veterinary class (and, therefore, the opportunity for us to date and get married)…or create our children. God did all of that. My job was to go along with it all. And to do that, I had to know Him.
The first part of the reading from Deuteronomy is very clear as to what God was asking the Israelites, and us, to do.
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!
Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your strength.
Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.
Drill them into your children.
Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.
Bind them at your wrist as a sign
and let them be as a pendant on your forehead.
Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.“
In Judaism, the first line of this reading is called the Shema. It is very likely the most central prayer in Judaism. It starts with “HEAR O Israel.” Kind of like when Jesus starts a statement with “Amen, Amen I say to you.” It means LISTEN UP. This is important. Observant Jews prayer this line twice per day.
The remainder of this portion of the passage is called the V’Ahafta or translated as “You Shall Love“. Who? The Lord Your God. How? With ALL your heart, soul and strength. Every aspect of who you are. And to be sure you get it, and don’t forget it, you are to speak these words to your children always. When you are out and about, at home, when you lie down and when you rise up. And you are to write them as a sign before your eyes (hence Orthodox Jews keep this command in a little box strapped to their forehead. Tefillin.)
And on the door posts of your house and on your gates so that you are reminded of them as you enter and leave your home (Mezuzah).
Why are we to love God? We owe God everything. We accomplish nothing on our own. I would not have the honor of contributing to A Catholic Moment without Him. We are to worship Him. That is why we go to Mass. Worship Him and receive Him. A good homily is great. Beautiful music is uplifting. An awesome sanctuary is inspiring. But it is all superfluous. We are there to worship. To thank our creator.
How do we love God? Four ways. By knowing Him thru Scripture. By putting Him first in all things. By desiring to be close to Him. And by obeying Him and His commandments. And by having Faith. In the Gospel today we see Jesus heal a possessed boy when His disciples could not. Why? Jesus tells them that they have too little faith. Faith like a mustard seed. But it could also be understood as an immature faith. One that has not yet grew into a faith that recognizes God as the source of all that is good. And the best gift God has given us that we should thank Him and love Him for?
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Below is a short video of Cindy Michelassi singing Julie Silver’s version of the V’Ahafta during services at Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard, IL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_Uwp__tqzE
