St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274 AD)

St. Thomas Aquinas

Patron Saint of students and all universities

Thomas age is the most disputed part in any of his biographies. Since scholars, due to the scarcity of facts does not agree on the year of the saint's birth. Some would say he was born on 1225, some later on 1227, still others in between of those years. Which is which, that does not matter. The core of the matter is that we have a great saint to commemorate with. However, they all agree that Thomas died of March 7, 1274 at the monastery of Fossa Nuova.

He was born in a well-off family, in the castle of Rocca Secca in the old county of the Kingdom of Sicily. His father Landulph was Count of Aquino, born from an old high-born south Italian family, and his mother Theodora was Countess of Teano, of noble Norman descent.

At the age of five, Thomas began his early education at Monte Cassino under the supervision of the Benedictine monks. He displayed an extraordinary intelligence and virtue which lead his preceptors to predict that someday he will be great and renown throughout the world.

True enough since his enrolment in 1236 at the studium generale in Naples where "he was introduced to his philosophical influences of Greek philosopher Aristotle, Islamic philosopher Averroes of Cordoba," and Maimonides, he proved his aptitude greater than his teachers.

His vocation to the priesthood was believed to be at the instigation of John of St. Julian, a Dominican preacher, "who influenced him to join the recently founded Dominican Order." He pursued his vocation despite his family's disapproval. It was said that in the family's effort to keep him from entering the Dominican Orders, Thomas was held captive in "the fortress of San Giovanni at Rocca Secca" for nearly two years. During his confinement, "two of his brothers hired a prostitute to seduce him, and eventually destroy his vocation but legends claim Thomas drove her off with a fire iron. After she left, Thomas prayed to have pure mind and heart then he fell asleep, and had a dream. In his dream two angels appeared to him, affirming that his prayer was heard by God, sign of it was the girdle the angels put to him to strengthened his resolve to remain celibate.

Gaining his freedom, he went to Paris from 1248 until 1252 for further studies where he was believed to be mentored by a Dominican scholar Albertus Magnus (Albert the Great), who was then the Chair of Theology at the College of St. James. During which he was ordained priest.

"Thomas was quiet and seldom spoke at the university, leading other students to believe he was mentally delayed, but Albert prophetically said, "You call him the dumb ox, but in his teaching he will one day produce such a bellowing that it will be heard throughout the world."

His mentors prophecy proved to true since, Thomas' famous work, Summa theologiae, and many other writings preceding this wonderful work renders him prolific writing, teacher and doctor of the church.

Sometimes in 1273, Thomas was believed to have received a revelation from the Savior, during which under the spell of ardent prayer in the Chapel of St. Nicholas, "Christ is said to have told him, "You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward would you have for your labor?" Thomas replied, "Nothing but you, Lord." But since then, Thomas stopped his writing because for him his work was "seems like straw" to what he saw from the revelation.

Gregory X convened the Second Council of Lyon on 1 May 1274 in which he invited the saint. On his journey to the meeting, on January 1274, Thomas health failed him. He became ill and stopped his journey "at the Cistercian Fossa Nuova Abbey, where the monks cared for him for several days." Thomas died on March 7, 1274 during a commentary on the Song of Songs. "His remains were placed in the Church of the Jacobins in Toulouse on January 28, 1369."

"It is not known who beatified Thomas, but on July 18, 1323, Pope John XXII canonized him. His original feast day was March 7, the day of his death, but because the date often falls within Lent, in 1969, a revision of the Roman calendar changed his feast day to January 28, the date his relics were moved to Toulouse. Pope Pius V declared Saint Thomas Aquinas a doctor of the church, saying Thomas was "the most brilliant light of the Church."

Saint Thomas is often depicted with an open book or writing with a quill.

Sources:

1.        1. McBrien, Richard. Lives of the Saints: From Mary and St. Francis of Assisi to John XXIII and Mother Theresa. HarperCollins: New York. 2001. P90-92.

2.        2. Google:

a.      http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2530

b.      http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14663b.htm

c.      http://www.iep.utm.edu/aquinas/

Hail to all Environmentalists!

It's just nice to hear that for the first time dolphins won over the high court ruling in the Philippines. Definitely they have nobody amongst them to defend the litigation but we have good human souls who are willing to stand for their cause.

            After reading the news that "Dolphins' lawyer has the last laugh" by Ador Vincent S. Mayol of the Philippine Daily Inquirer today April 23, 2015, I can't help but relish the surging happiness of the environmentalist's triumph in the country.

            Environmental lawyer Benjamin Cabrido, Jr., joined by ecology lawyers Gloria Estanzo-Ramos and Liza Osorio in "filing the case on behalf of the dolphins, toothed whales, porpoises and other cetacean species at Taňon Strait" against Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd (Japex) on December 20, 2007, Cabrido's Birthday.

            Accordingly, the said exploration "lies between the islands of Cebu and Negros" the Taňon Strait which started "late on 2007 until early 2008" causes havoc to the oceans' habitat displacing both the marine life and the fishermen in the area considerably.

            After 8 years of battle in the court, the judges rendered judgment favorable for environmental effect.

            My praises to Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro and the Supreme Court as a whole who penned the high court's decision to nullify "the service contract awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) to Japex for oil exploration and drilling" as unconstitutional as it violates the Republic Act No. 7586, or the National Integrated  Protected Areas System (Nipas) of 1992.

            Hopefully this might serve as precedence to any future decisions of the high court for environmental cause against mining both in the land and in the sea. Indeed, it's highly commendable to seek progress. But what is prosperity at the expense of our nature. We consumed our natural resources beyond its capacity to restore.

            My warm salute is to Atty. Cabrido, Extanzo-Ramos and Osorio for their unwavering courage to protect the rights of the marine life thus, serving the necessary help of our local fisherman in the area. May your examples encourage other lawyers to protect others' interest first before serving their own.

            God may reward you all the success and prosperity in your career.

The Heavenly Promise Received by Brother Estanislao's devotion to the Path of the Cross

Brother Estanislao (1903 - 1927)

At the age of 18 years, a young Spanish entered as a novice, "THE SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERS", in Bugedo. In the religious life, this young man took the religious votes in fulfillment of the regulations; to advance in the Christian perfection; and to reach pure love. In October 1926, this brother offered himself to Jesus through Most Holy Mary. Shortly after this heroic offering, the young monk became ill and was forced to rest. He died in sanctity in March, 1927. According to the Master of novices, this religious was a chosen soul of God; who received messages from Heaven. The confessors of this young man, as well as the theologians, recognized these supernatural facts like meaningful acts. The young man was called Brother Estanislao. The spiritual director of Brother Estanislao had instructed him to write all the promises transmitted by OUR LORD. This would be for the spiritual benefits of those devoted to the PATH OF THE CROSS. The promises are the following:

1.      I will grant all that is requested from Me with faith, during the Path of the Cross.

2.      I promise eternal live to those that once in a while, recite the Path of the Cross.

3.      All through their lives, I will accompany them everywhere, and will have my special assistance at the hour of death.

4.      Even if they had more sins than the blades of grass that grow in the fields, and more than grains of sand in the ocean, all will be erased through this devotion to the Path of the Cross. (Note: This devotion does not eliminate the obligation to confess mortal sins. One is due to confess before receiving Holy Communion.)

5.      Those that recite the Path of the Cross frequently, will enjoy extraordinary glory in Heaven.

6.      After death, if these devotees arrived at Purgatory, I will liberate them from that place of atonement, the first Tuesday or Friday after dying.

7.      I will bless these souls whenever they recite the Path of the Cross; and my blessing will accompany them everywhere on Earth. After death, they will enjoy this blessing in Heaven, for all eternity.

8.      At the time of death, I will not allow that they are subject to the temptation of the demon. To the malignant spirit I will strip to him of all power on these souls. Thus they will be able to rest peacefully in my Arms.

9.      If they recite it with true love, it will be highly rewarded. That is to say, I will turn each one of these souls in a living vessel, where I will be pleased to spill My Grace.

10.  I will fix the glance of My Eyes on those souls that recite the Path of the Cross frequently and My Hands will be always open to protect them.

11.  Just as I was nailed in the Cross, I will always be very united to those that honor Me, with the frequent recitation of the Path of the Cross.

12.  The devotee of the Path of the Cross will never separate from Me because I will give them the grace of never incurring mortal sin.

13.  At the hour of death, I will console them with My presence, and we will go together to Heaven. Death will be sweet for all those that have honored Me during life with the recitation of the Path of the Cross.

14.  For these devotees of the Path of the Cross, My Soul will be a protecting shield that always will render assistance to them when they resort to Me.

            We conclude that it is very beneficial for us and our brothers, to recite the Path of the Cross not only during Lenten Season but at all times.

source:
            http://www.english.santisimavirgen.com.ar/via_crucis_eng.htm

Why do we need to Pray incessantly?

Undeniably we always up for something in return in doing something. There is always a prize attach in favor of our service, either we want to be recognized, appreciated or rewarded. That's very human to consider.

           

            Nonetheless, religious piety is not exempted with this mentality. Some believers may accuse it as too human, worldly and mundane. But basically human psyche goes that way. We recited novenas, completed the nine mornings and nine novena masses or triduum as we prepare for our patron's feast, attended daily mass, and many other forms of prayers because we are asking something from God. We are hopeful that God would grant our petitions in favor of our sacrifice offered to Him. From my point of view as a priest, that should not be case, of course. Because saying that God answered my prayers and wishes because I have succeeded and fulfilled 'those' and 'that' pilgrimages or offerings is nothing but limiting God's mercy and compassion. God, with or without your sacrifices is always merciful.

            Of course, I'm not negating the value of our prayers, offerings and sacrifices. It does help us, in a way, elating and elevating our sense of connectedness to Him whom we offer up something. But we can't equate our supplications as our means to placate God.  No need to please God because He's always ahead of us. He knows our needs even before we pray for it. See Isaiah 65:24, God said, "It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear."

            Despite He doesn't need any of our sacrifices, for it will not change Him in nature, He still remind us to "pray without ceasing" in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Presumably, this is to grow our patience and perseverance. And as God watches us honoring Him everyday grants our hearts desire in due time. James 1:12 reminds us how persevering people are blessed to receive the reward from heaven because they endure their trials.

            Via crucis is one our richest devotional prayers to nourish and enrich our virtues of patience and perseverance. I'm sure, heaven has prepared rewards for those who follow it sincerely, just as I have discovered in the revelations received by Brother Estanislao (1903 - 1927). He received divine messages revealing the promise reward for the devotees of the Path of the Cross.

           

            Check out my blog for Brother Estanislao's revelation.

The History of the Devotion The Way of the Cross

While trudging the Way of the Cross on Good Friday last April 03, 2015, a question came to my mind, a question which lingers in my head throughout the day. How this devotion came into practice and became so popular amongst Christian believers?

        I was tempted to ask one of the lay ministers or other parishioners, what they knew about the history of this devotion which impassioned all of us to get out of our comforts to follow the Way of the Cross on this Holy day. But I was afraid to do so because they might ask me back and I have no answer to offer them. Instead, I kept quiet throughout the procession and ask the Lord to encourage me to do a little research on this matter. I knew for sure, this is not scholarly research but at least it can shed light to the faithful, who, like me is curious about the devotion.

            Accordingly, "The Stations of the Cross are a Catholic devotion which commemorates the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each of the fourteen stations represents an event which occurred during Jesus' Passion and death at Calvary on Good Friday.

            The Stations were originally performed many centuries ago by Christian pilgrims who visited the Holy Land and the sites of Jesus' Passion. Promotion of the devotion to the Stations began in earnest with the Franciscans, who were given custody of the Holy Places in the Holy Land in the 1300's. Countless Catholics have all enriched their spiritual lives with this powerful devotion.

            The Stations of the Cross, also called The Way of the Cross, is a devotion to the passion of Christ consisting of prayers and meditations on fourteen occurrences that were experienced by Christ on His way to the crucifixion. During the time of the crusades (1095-1270), it became popular for pilgrims in the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Jesus to Calvary. After the Moslems recaptured the Holy Land pilgrimages were too dangerous. As a result, the Stations of the Cross became a popular substitute pilgrimage throughout Europe.

            The Stations represented critical events from Scripture or tradition of Jesus' journey to Calvary. Originally done only outdoors, the Stations were allowed inside churches in the mid-18th century. Eventually fixed at fourteen, the Stations soon became a familiar feature in all Catholic churches.

            The devotion may be conducted personally by the faithful, making their way from one station to another and saying the prayers, or by having an officiating celebrant move from cross to cross while the faithful make the responses. The stations themselves must consist of, at the very least, fourteen wooden crosses, pictures alone do not suffice, and they must be blessed by someone with the authority to erect stations.

Origins of the Stations: 4th Century Jerusalem

            The devotion originated in the late 4th century when pilgrims flocked to the Holy Land from all parts of the world to visit the land of Jesus. Heading the list of places they visited was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which had been built by Emperor Constantine in 335 AD atop Calvary and the tomb of Jesus.

            Processions of pilgrims to this church were common. Egeria, a woman from Gaul who traveled to the Holy Land in the 4th century, recalls in her diary how she joined Christians from all parts of the Roman world walking westward on Holy Thursday from the garden of Gethsemane to the church of the Holy Sepulcher, where they celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection.

            From her diary, Egeria accounts Christians from all parts of the Roman world walking westward on Holy Thursday from the garden of Gethsemane to the church of the Holy Sepulcher, where they celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection:

            "And at the first cockcrow they come down from the Imbomon with hymns, and arrive at the place where   the Lord prayed, as it is written in the Gospel: and He was withdrawn [from them] about a stone's cast, and prayed, and the rest. There is in that place a graceful church. The bishop and all the people enter, a prayer suitable to the place and   to the day is said, with one suitable hymn, and the passage from the Gospel is read where He said to His disciples: Watch, that ye enter not into temptation. The whole passage is read through and prayer is made. And then all, even to the smallest child, go down with the Bishop, on   foot, with hymns to Gethsemane. There, on account of the great number of people in the crowd who are wearied owing to the vigils and weak through the daily fasts, and because they have so great a hill to descend, they come very slowly with hymns to Gethsemane. And over two hundred church candles are made ready to give light to all the people. On their arrival at Gethsemane, first a suitable prayer is made,    then a hymn is said, and then the passage of the Gospel is read where the Lord was taken. And when this    passage has been read there is so great a moaning and groaning of all the people, together with weeping, that their lamentation may be heard perhaps as far as the city. From that hour they go with hymns to the city on foot, reaching the gate about the time when one man begins to be able to recognize another, and thence right on through the midst of the city. All, to a man, both great and small, rich and poor, all are ready there, for on that special day not a soul withdraws from the vigils until morning. Thus the bishop is escorted from Gethsemane to the gate, and thence through the whole of the city to the Cross."

            Based on the translation reproduced in Louis Duchesme's Christian Worship, London, 1923

The Via Dolorosa

            Over the years, the route of pilgrim processions beginning at the ruins of the Fortress Antonia and ending at the church of the Holy Sepulcher was accepted as the way that Jesus went to his death. It was known as the "Via Dolorosa," the "Sorrowful Way." Today, it winds through the crowded areas of Jerusalem's Old City, and pilgrims still travel it in prayer.

            "Stations" developed on this venerable route as early pilgrims honored places where specific incidents took place as Jesus went Calvary. However, the search for them was complicated because the Jerusalem of Jesus' day had been almost completely destroyed by the Roman armies in 70 AD. In many cases, therefore, pilgrims could only guess where some incidents described in the gospel took place.

From the Holy Land to Europe

            Christian pilgrims contributed to the European development the Stations of the Cross in its present form. Returning from the Holy Land, they brought oil from the lamps that burned around Jesus' tomb, soil and relics from the holy places. More important, they brought memories of the liturgies, devotions, and shrines they experienced. Soon, churches and shrines were being built throughout Europe modeled on the pilgrim sites, and Jerusalem's devotions and liturgies influenced the liturgical and religious life of western Christians.

            The Moslem conquest of Palestine in the 7th century contributed to the building of replicas of the holy places in Europe, as Christians, finding access to the holy places more difficult, sought places of pilgrimage nearer home. If they could not go to Jerusalem, they would have reminders of Jerusalem close by.

            Devotion to the Stations of the Cross spread rapidly throughout the Roman Catholic world in the 18th century, largely as a result of the preaching of the Franciscan, St. Leonard of Port -Maurice, who erected stations and promoted the devotion in over five hundred churches and places throughout Italy. His work was supported by the popes of his time, who saw the devotion as a means of strengthening faith.

            Another 18th century saint, St. Alphonsus Liguori, wrote a brief work on the stations that is still in use today. Religious communities like the Jesuits and the Passionists made the devotion part of their missions and retreats. By the l9th century, the Stations of the Cross had become a staple in Catholic prayer books and in churches throughout England, Ireland, and North America.
           

Here are the 14 Stations of the Cross

1.      Jesus is Condemned to Death

2.      Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross

3.      Jesus Falls the First Time

4.      Jesus Meets His Mother

5.      Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

6.      Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face

7.      Jesus Falls the Second Time

8.      Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

9.      Jesus Falls the Third Time

10.  Jesus is Stripped of His Clothes

11.  Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

12.  Jesus Dies on the Cross

13.  Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

14.  Jesus is Laid in the Tomb"

"I learned to GIVE not because I have much but because I know exactly how it feels to have NOTHING."

Actually, I have a second thought of sharing my experiences in lieu with this very touching phrase circulating around the Facebook pages. The hesitation comes about maybe because I have to publicly open myself to everyone who can access my blogs. After awhile of struggling with the hesitations, I came to realize that I have nothing to be ashamed of with the past I gratefully overcame. It is the heart of the matter of this sharing. The essence of this writing is to impart to everyone how I learned to give unreservedly because I knew how it is to be in dire need. In so doing, I encourage all to do the same whenever you are in the opportunity to do so.

            Along with this line of thought, I remember the following quotes: "It's better to give than to receive" and "You're lucky if someone ask you because you are in the position to give."

           

            There are two experiences I would like share here. But I decided to share it one by one.

            The first story I would like to share was when I was a boy. My brother Joel, our eldest brother who used to be a good fisherman at a young age perhaps because his major subject during High School studies was Fish Capture, ask me to accompany him fishing. One early evening, we were in the shore with all of our fishing gears, I wonder how we could get into the sea since we don't have a boat or a 'baruto'. So I asked him. He replied, "we just wait here for a while maybe some of those who are fishing already will go home early and we will take his 'baruto'."

            "But surely we will get scolded if ever we were caught," I insisted.

            "Let's do it fast. Just a little catch for our dinner and breakfast tomorrow then, we'll go home hastily." He assured me.

            We enjoy fishing uncaught. We feasted our catch.

           

            Few months after my ordination to the priesthood, my brother got the nerve to share with me his desire to have his own 'baruto,' so he could go fishing anytime. I laughed out loudly because I remember my fishing experiences with him during my boyhood. When alone in my room, I cried. I pitied my brother and myself too while reminiscing those moments we used our neighbors 'baruto' without permission. I thanked God for the opportunity to help my brother now. I checked my meager savings then, and immediately asked him how much he needed. Fortunately, out of my little savings we have successfully financed the construction of his 'baruto.' My brother was happy. So do I, because just the other day he gave me his catch - 'barawan'. Ummm...yummy!

            Wait and check out for the next story...

            A BLESSED HOLY WEEK TO ALL!

Is it possible to live in poverty amidst richness?

             I understand very well that there are challenges as well as tensions in this life I have chosen to live. To live a life of priesthood is like living in contradictions with the world. The world, I refer here are my basic human desires. There are instincts that I myself denied or to say it mildly, controlled for the sake of the Gospel and the truth that I'm are trying to witness to this world, so to proclaim the Reign of God.

            Speaking of controlled instincts, we can name many but I particularly tackle here that which is related to the issue of poverty witnessing. One of the many instincts is the power to have. Accordingly, it is normal for everyone to desire for something, to acquire something that would uplift the dignity and well-being of the person who desires. This is normal and it seems that everything is normal so long as it conform the standard of the social structure and community you are living with. But is it not confusing to establish the normalcy of desiring, when in fact desires varies from one person to another? What would be our criteria to determine that this desiring is natural and the other is not?

           

            I believe that desiring would always go in line with my decisions in life. I have decided to become a priest and so my desiring should also be in consonance with what I’m preparing into. I’m called to live a life of poverty as I’m called to build a church of the poor. My property then, should proportionate to what the people have or to what the people is capable of having. If this is so I should be discerning and careful of acquiring things. I must see to it that the property I acquire should not exceed to what I need for the good of the ministry. Does this not sound restricting and hampering my ministerial work? Supposed I buy a brand new computer. Even I knew most of my parishioners cannot afford any of this kind, do I betray my vow of poverty? Does it mean infidelity to the vow even it is clear in my mind and in my consciousness that I buy that computer to facilitate my pastoral work and so to serve my parishioners without delay?

            In answering this question, I should follow the Ignatian Spirituality, and I hope I will not be disloyal to it. Fr. Bob Rice, S.J. once said, it is not bad or there is no wrong of acquiring things when you are willing to share it with others. I’m really convinced that this ideal is in line also with our lesson in Christian Social Ethics that speaks of economic principle according to justice as “the right to own is subordinate to the right to use.”

           

            Indeed, everyone has the right to own anything he can afford. But this right to ownership should be relinquished under indispensable circumstances such as helping our neighbors who are in dire need. Isn't it wonderful to think that having more the greater the chances of sharing? Hence, it is no wrong to be rich, to be wealthy as long as you are the lord over your wealth, not the otherwise. Remember, richness is a gift from God (Matthew 6:33).

            Going along with this Spirituality is not betraying the vow of poverty since the one acquiring is not attached with what he/she attained. What I believe a betrayal to this vow is getting things at the expense of others, hoarding and refusing its use for the welfare of the many.

           

            Isn't it sacrificial for one to procure personal things for the welfare of all? Isn't it true that living poor in richness that you own nothing yet you share everything?

"Live Simply so Others May Simply Live," Mahatma Gandhi

This phrase might sounds so uncomplicated and simple. Yet in reality, if taken seriously, the most demanding and challenging vocation a person could ever have. Why this is so? Because, the fact is, human being by nature is insatiable. There is that innate unquenchable desire to possess more. In other words, there is that human tendency to long for more, to acquire as much as he can for the belief that this more he possess could render him happiness.

            In as much as human being pursuits happiness, may it be by possessing power, prestige and wealth, he cannot but follow his drive to acquire more even at the expense of others. The Priority Development Assistance Fund scam, also called the PDAF scam or the pork barrel scam, that havoc the image of the Philippine government nowadays elucidates this much. Our legislators, senators and other government officials related with this scam are not wanting in their salary and income. The government has provided them enough. But why they betrayed their people. Why in all of so many ways to earn extra income, they have resorted to graft and corruption. What guts compelled them to bulk their wealth while the majority of their people starve.

            At times, I hate these officials though they are not yet proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. But most often I pitied them because they succumbed with the temptation. The evil conquered them. They were misled like most of us.

            Karl Rahner in his theologizing said, we are designed to long for God. Therefore, that emptiness in us, that space in our being which renders us insatiable is part of the infinite design setting that space which God alone can fill in and quench our desire. It is not these earthly things that could give us true happiness. It is God who is our Summum Bonum, our happiness, our final end, the eternal happiness of man. Hence, Jesus told us everything in the Father in John 15:11, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." He leads us the right way to gain happiness in Matthew by not setting our hearts on earthly wealth but rather on heavenly treasures. Matthew 6:19-20, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal".

                Hence, let us not be greedy with these earthly resources we can afford because it cannot save our soul. Matthew 16:26 has it, "What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?" Instead, share your blessings among the people who are less fortunate and cannot afford them. Give others (your neighbors) what they deserve, love. Why love? Simply because you can give without love but you cannot love without giving.

            Living simply so that others may simply live is the simplification of the second greatest commandment of Jesus "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31).