The Transfer of the Relics of the Great-Martyr Ignatius the God-bearer (of Antioch)
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1 Peter 4:1-11; Mark 12:28-37
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Jesus beautifully summarizes and refocuses the totality of the Law, which has 613 commandments. He reminds us that our love and devotion must be oriented to God first and foremost, but this is not enough. For if you love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind then you will also love His creation, which is the work of His hands and reflects His glory. And that which most reflects the Lord and even carries the image of God is the human being; therefore, if you love God you will also love your neighbour. The Lord wants us to know that these two commandments hold each other up. By loving God our heart is expanded and our vision is broadened so that we become more capable of seeing His glory in creation. We come to understand that loving neighbour becomes an expression of our love for God. This is why Jesus says, “He who loves me will keep my commandments..” (John 14:15) And the Lord’s commandment to us is “that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12).