(Adults, you could begin by reading the Gospel aloud to the child. Alternatively, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the reflection.)
In the Gospel this week the Pharisees want to know more about Jesus. They are confused by him. He is not like anyone else they have ever known. He does not speak like anyone they have ever known. So they want to know more about him. The Pharisees know that Jesus knows the Word of God, so they ask him, which part of the Word of God is the MOST important to him.
Jesus tells them, this part:
‘You shall love the Lord your God’
It seems to have been written about him, because Jesus knows that this is what he does. Jesus loves the Lord with his WHOLE self,
with his little baby finger,
with the tip of his big toe,
with his belly, with his arms, with his legs...
All of his thinking,
all of his dreaming--
his whole self loves.
And as he is thinking about this, Jesus tells them, there is something else I think was written about me, too:
‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
We hear this, don't we, when he talks about the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. All that he has, he gives to the sheep. He loves that much.
We might ask if, "Love the Lord your God," was written about anyone else.
Does anyone else love God like Jesus loves God?
Is Jesus the only one who loves God?
Or does the Word of God speak about even more people?
Who else loves the Lord our God?
