“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” This is the question that begins today’s Gospel. Posed to Jesus in the hopes of tricking him, Jesus is not fooled. In fact, his response is a call that we hold close to our hearts at CMMB—especially today when the world faces so much turmoil and tragedy.  

Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  

At CMMB, we are deeply saddened by the persistence of deadly violence around the world. Violence against any person, anywhere, is violence against our brothers and sisters—against our neighbors.  

As we work to live Jesus’ commandments during these challenging times, we firmly join Pope Francis in his call to pray for peace. 

“Lay down weapons and heed the cries of peace from the poor, the people, and the innocent children,” said Pope Francis when he invited the world to pause for a day of prayer amid the hostilities in the Middle East.  

Thank you for your support as our prayers, resources, and efforts go to our brothers and sisters around the world crying out for help.