Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, October 25, 2026

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the five-word formula to achieving eternal life: “Love God, Love One Another.”  That’s it.  Do that and we will be with God in the heavenly kingdom for all eternity.  It sounds so easy.  It’s not about memorizing dozens of rules, or performing dozens of complex rituals and responsibilities, it is simply about love.  It all starts with love and it all ends with love.  If we remember that, everything else will fall neatly into place.

Of course, the model of “love” that Jesus gives us is a complete surrender of oneself.  The Greek word is “kenosis” which means “self-emptying.”  That is the way that God loves us and it is the ideal way that we are to love Him and others.  It represents the deepest and most complete relationship that we can have.  Kenosis means that we love fully, without reservation, because we are free from selfishness and have no expectation of being rewarded or loved in return.

Kenosis recognizes that God created us to be in relationship with Him and with each other.  When Jesus tells us that the entire Law is based upon loving God and others, He is telling us that these relationships are the foundation upon which our human lives are built and upon which our eternal lives depend.

While we may not achieve the ideal love that Jesus displayed, we do have examples of true kenosis in our marriages and in parenting our children.  In each instance, we are willing to give ourselves fully to the other person.  We focus on our spouse and children and recommit ourselves to that love every day.  We are devoted to each other.  As parents, we would never consider what our infant child will do for us when we comfort him at 3am.  We would never expect a reward or even a “Thank you.”  We simply give of ourselves freely and fully solely for the good of our child.

When we have a strong foundation of loving God, it is easier to see God in all things, particularly in those nearest to us.  When we experience true love in our families, it is easier to love those outside of our families.  Relationships are our key to success and happiness in this world and eternal life with God in the kingdom. 

Fr. Mike