Universal Utterings

for August 21, 2026

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08-21-2026 Matthew 22 v3440 Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

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The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 22 Verse 34 thru 40

34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them [a scholar of the law] tested him by asking, 36 “Teacher,  which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. 39 The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

In Matthew 22:34-40, we encounter a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry where He distills the essence of the law into two profound commandments. When a Pharisee, an expert in the law, challenges Jesus by asking which commandment is the greatest, Jesus responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, instructing us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This first commandment emphasizes the importance of a whole-hearted devotion to God, reminding us that our relationship with Him is foundational to our faith.

However, Jesus doesn’t stop there. He follows with a second commandment from Leviticus 19:18, declaring that we must love our neighbor as ourselves. This dual commandment highlights a crucial aspect of Christian living: our love for God must translate into love for others. The call to love our neighbor is both radical and transformative. It challenges us to see every person as worthy of love and dignity, urging us to act with compassion and kindness, regardless of our differences.

These verses underscore that loving others is not merely a suggestion but an integral part of our faith. Jesus affirms that all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commands. This means that the entirety of God's moral expectations can be understood through the lens of love—love for God and love for one another.

As we reflect on these verses, let us be reminded that the greatest commandment isn't just an ideal but a way of life. Loving our neighbor as ourselves moves us towards a community grounded in empathy and respect. Let us strive to embody this love in our daily interactions, creating a world that mirrors the heart of God. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. Novena Day Four for James Spence. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,


Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins


†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®


Ephesians 6:17-20

08-21-2026 Matthew 22 v3440

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

In days of old, when crowds would gather near, 

A question posed, both sharp and crystal clear: 

A lawyer sought to test the teacher's mind, 

"What’s greatest in the Law?" his voice aligned. 

With wisdom deep, and love that knew no bounds, 

The Savior spoke, as grace and truth resound: 

"To love the Lord, your God, with heart and soul, 

With all your strength, your mind—it makes you whole." 

And then He added, like a river's flow, 

"Love neighbors too; let compassion grow. 

In these two commands, the heart of all is found, 

The Law fulfilled, where love and grace abound." 

From ancient texts to every human heart, 

This timeless truth remains a work of art. 

To love is to fulfill the sacred call, 

In loving others, we embrace it all. 

So let us walk in kindness, hand in hand, 

Reflecting light, a love that understands. 

For in these words, the essence we embrace— 

To love is life, in every time and place. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

August 21, 2026 @ 04:49 AM EST

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