You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart,
and with your whole soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
And the second is like it:
you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The timeline of The Great Commandment
The Great Commandment is a prayer that expresses the central teachings of the Catholic faith. It is based on the words of Jesus, who said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
The Great Commandment has its roots in the Old Testament, where the love of God and love of neighbor are central themes. In the New Testament, Jesus expands on these themes, emphasizing the importance of love in our relationship with God and with each other.
Over time, the Great Commandment became a foundational teaching of the Catholic Church, and it is often recited during Mass and other religious services. Its themes of love, mercy, and compassion resonate with many people, inspiring them to seek a deeper relationship with God and to love their neighbors as themselves.
Today, the Great Commandment remains an important reminder of the central teachings of the Catholic faith. Its words continue to inspire Catholics around the world to live their lives in accordance with the greatest commandment of all, to love God and to love their neighbors.