Slideshow image

Loving God, Neighbour and Self

 Jesus answered: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40)

From last Sunday's gospel we read of Jesus' encounter with folks who were hoping to find fault in His response about how lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? He had the right answers for them, but this never made them stop trying again. However, this time, "one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him." And also Jesus has the right answers for him. Like I mentioned in my last message, Saint Augustine once told his listeners, “I am not telling you what you do not know; I am only reminding you of what you already know.” In the same way, Jesus called His questioners beyond clever argument and toward the debt of love they owe God, their neighbours and themselves. 

So, how do we love God, Neighbours and Self in Winnipeg in 2026? 

As Canadians, we often take pride in multiculturalism, pluralism, and diversity. Yet Jesus’ command to love our neighbour cannot be limited to people who share our faith, ethnicity, social background, or way of seeing the world. For us as a faith community, our LOVE includes Loving God, Neighbours and Self.  We love God because we love:

  • Those who are ahead of us in this land; the Indigenous elders and peoples who first stewarded this land.
  • Those who are immigrants, refugees, and newcomers;
  • Those people whose beliefs, cultures, or circumstances differ from ours;
    · Those we encounter in daily life and those whose struggles reach us through the news; and
    · Those who oppose us, who may wish us bad luck, or have hurt us.

Therefore, Jesus calls us beyond cultural ideals of tolerance and politeness. Agape love is active: it welcomes the stranger, seeks the good of others, and moves us toward compassionate engagement in our community and our world. We may not always feel affection for those who hurt us. Still, we can refuse to wish them harm, pray for them, and ask God to transform our attitudes and guide our actions. This is the demanding, world-changing love to which Christ calls us. This is what Loving God, Neighbours and Self looks like.

Thanks be to God. Amen

With gratitude and blessings,

Reverend Wilson Akinwale