In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Today is the first official day of autumn. Autumn is a season of change, and we are reminded to be open to all the possibilities awaiting us this year. God is always with
us as we change and grow.
Let us listen to this reading from the Gospel of Matthew. (Matthew 22: 36-40)
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
All: Glory to you, O Lord.
One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The words of Jesus may seem simple but can often be very challenging to live out. In this autumn season, as we reflect on ways God calls us to change and improve, we ask: Are we willing to love our classmates as much as we love ourselves? Are we willing to forgive someone when they have hurt us? Are we willing to share something with another person, especially if that person is in need?
Let us pray using the words that Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.