Love God, Love Neighbor: The Heart of Mercy - Fr. Chris Alar | 3/13/26

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031326.cfm

Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains that the Ten Commandments form the moral foundation of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, rooted in natural law written on every human heart. The first three commandments shed light on how we should be loving God, while the remaining seven explain loving neighbor. Jesus summarized this dual commandment: Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Father Chris clarifies common misconceptions about how Catholics number the commandments. Catholics follow the tradition of St. Augustine, while Protestants follow the Greek Fathers. Though numbered differently, the substance remains identical. The prohibition against graven images falls under the first commandment for Catholics, and is not treated as a separate second commandment.

Father Chris highlights how Jesus transformed the commandment to love neighbor. In Leviticus, the context referred only to fellow Jews. Jesus removed all boundaries, declaring that religion consists of loving God and all people. Mercy emerges when these two commandments come together : loving the unlovable, forgiving the unforgivable — loving as God loves, and loving those whom God loves.

This message defines a core component of the Marian Fathers’ mission. Saint Paul taught that whoever loves their neighbor has fulfilled the law, while whoever hates their neighbor, yet claims to love God, is a liar. Mercy does not require friendship with those who have caused harm, but it does mean placing them prayerfully in God's hands without seeking vengeance.

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