Ordinary Time | The Greatest Commandment
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and will all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:36-39
Ordinary Time can be misleading. On the surface, the season seems to suggest that life and faith carry on as usual. In a sense, this is true, in that Christmas and Easter are the high points of our liturgical year, filled with preparation and celebration. The truth, however, is quite the contrary when the readings of the season are taken into account. Discipleship is a main focus of Ordinary Time. Truly living as disciples of Jesus is out of the ordinary and could be very extraordinary!
In order to live as disciples of Jesus, we must know and become familiar with His teachings. The Great Commandment is one of his teachings and it is the commandment that all of God’s laws depend on. In fact, the Great Commandment sums up the Ten Commandments. There are two parts that make up the Great Commandment. The first part tells us that we are to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength. The second part tells us that we are to love others as we love ourselves.
Handouts
Two handouts are about loving God and one about the Church calendar. Will you choose one or all three handouts to complete?
Loving God 1 Handout
Loving God 2 Handout
Church Calendar Handout
Games
It’s family game night! Gather everyone and play Liturgical Year Bingo together. Have fun while engaging with each other and learning more about the Liturgical Year.
Crafts
You have two craft ideas to choose from. Will you make a heart necklace or a Valentine for Jesus?
Heart Necklace Craft
Valentine for Jesus Craft
Theme Videos
Ordinary Time
Jesus Reveals the Greatest Commandment
ShareJesus: The Greatest Commandment
Bishop Barron & The Ten Commandments
Saint Videos
St. Timothy’s feast day is on January 26. He is the patron saint invoked against stomach and intestinal disorders.
The Conversion of St. Paul is celebrated on January 25. Watch this video about St. Paul’s ministry.
St. John Bosco’s feast day is celebrated on January 31. He’s the patron saint of youth and editors.
St. Blaise’s feast day is celebrated on February 3. He’s the patron saint of throat diseases and wool combers.
