The Holy Apostle Timothy; the Holy Venerable-Martyr Anastasius the Persian (628)
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1 Peter 4:1-11; Mark 12:28-37
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
When asked what upholds the entirety of the Law our Lord responds that the fulfilment of the Law starts and ends with love. First and foremost our life is to be oriented towards our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer. The totality of the human being, that is to say, the four aspects which describe our personhood must be oriented toward our Lord. Our heart (kardia), which is the innermost part of our being from which our decisions and actions flow. The soul (psyche), which is our whole living self, is called to be given up for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. Our mind, which emphasizes that our thoughts and reason must be guided by the Divine Word. And our strength, which tells us that love is not a feeling or just an idea, but a commitment which requires action. This may seem like a large demand, but let us not forget who loved us first? “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). God’s love is total, faithful and eternal for each of us as if we were the only ones to ever exist. Once we begin to experience and understand the love with which He loved us then this commandment seems like a natural and appropriate human response.