Fulfilling God's Commandment
"You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition." (Mark 7:8)
"You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition." (Mark 7:8)
Hear me out on this one. While I know my reflection is today, February 11th, this is what’s on my heart to share. In a few days, many folks will be celebrating St. Valentine’s Day. What started as a Christian feast day, honoring a martyr named Valentine, has evolved into a secular celebration of love and affection. When my husband and I first started dating, I told him NOT to bring me flowers, candy, or make dinner reservations. For me, Valentine’s Day should be celebrated all year round, by the little things you do for others, mostly: showing respect, appreciation, and being kind.
As we all know, prices have gone up and the cost for a card, flowers and a box of chocolates could easily run you $45-50 [at least]. What if you made a date with your loved one to serve in a local soup kitchen, or volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries, or assist at the local food pantry in your parish? Matthew 25:40 “And the King will say to them in reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”; fulfilling “love for God”.
How about you pull out the old dusty cookbook {or just use Google} and find a new recipe to try for your friends, family, children? There’s more love that goes into cooking than ordering take out or being in a crowded restaurant; thus fulfilling “love of neighbor”.
What actions do you take that honor and fulfill God’s commandment?
Father in Heaven, help us become more aware of your commandment of love, rather than what human tradition continuously places before us. Amen.
Judi Prinzivalli is a native New Yorker and has been a Tampa Bay resident since 1999. Judi attends Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview, FL where she proudly serves as a member of the Parish Council, is a Lector, a Eucharistic Minister, and participates in the Sick and Homebound Ministry. Judi and her husband Landy Colón are graduates of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute program (www.dosp.org/lpmi). They have two married daughters who live out of state, and are caretakers of Judi’s mom, who lives close by. She is a small-business owner (www.adjudicake.com) where she proudly helps her customers celebrate, solve or settle all the little things in life .. with cake!”
