Catechesis: For All in Common

The commandments…are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” 

Let each his lesson learn with care, and all the household well shall fare.—Table of Duties, For All

By joining together the commandment to love the neighbor as the self with the commandment that prayers (including thanksgivings) be made for all, we learn that essential part of loving our neighbor as ourselves, is to lift our heart to God on his or her behalf, both in intercession and thanksgiving. You cannot truly love the one whom you do not intercede for; and conversely, by interceding and offering thanks for your neighbor, you come truly to love him or her.