The "greatest and first commandment", according to Jesus, is that "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37-38). The second, He says, is that "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). This is more than a hierarchy. For, if you are to fully and truly love your neighbour, you must first fully and truly love God. Likewise, if you love God with your whole being, then consequently, you will love your neighbour, who was created in His image. Indeed, you cannot actually love your neighbour—or yourself—unless your heart, mind, and soul, are oriented toward God, who is love itself (1 John 4:8). Thus, these are not separate, individual commandments; rather, they are one. The first is the fundamental principle from which the second naturally follows. Neither can be obeyed when divorced from the other. This has been an essential requirement of God’s people since the very earliest texts of Scripture. The Israelites were commanded to worship the Lord alone (cf. Exodus 20:2-6), and also not to abuse the stranger, orphan, or widow (Exodus 22:21-22). Hence, Christ declares that “On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40). Love is an act of the will, not a mere emotion. Thus, even if someone feels saddened, alone, or inadequate, he is still called to obey these great commandments. It is a choice to love the Lord; through prayer, sacrifice, adoration. Likewise, it is a choice to love your neighbour; through charity, helpfulness, compassion. And if any dark feelings of futility attempt to strike, we may offer to God this suffering as another act of love. In doing so, we may also become “an example to all the believers” (1 Thessalonians 1:7), as our perseverance will itself be a sign of God’s grace. Thus, love the Lord your God. It is the first and greatest commandment; because it always was and always will be; because it is a positive command that can and should be observed at every waking second; and because it is the commandment which leads to eternal life.

Society has become too soft on the suicidal If you commit suicide: first, you’re a murderer, so I have no reason to feel sympathy toward you; and second, a murderer has been killed, so, if anything, that’s worth celebrating

Now I'm indignant because no-one read this

"Plant-based butter" doesn't even exist

The West Saxons are the best Saxons

"Reckless visitors" is a splendid euphemism

The Garden of Eden was in England and Adam and Eve were actually called Alfred and Edith

That's the scariest photo I've ever seen

They did it. They finally stopped Hitler

A poor and angry aboriginal is an indignant indigenous indigent

The secret to winning twitter debates is love

There are four things that destroy a woman: tattoos, nose rings, weight, and women

Real quote from one cockless cuck: "if you have a rooster next door to your house, it is serious"

We all, however, require further treatment for the cancer that is sin Go to confession often!

There are those who think the Church is too antisemitic; there are those who think the Church is too philosemitic; and then there are those who think the Church is just right

Two weeks ago I was told that God gave him cancer for his comments on the death penalty So by the same logic, I guess capital punishment is inadmissible after all!