Thirtieth Sunday of the Year (Year A)

 Thirtieth Sunday of the Year October 29, 2023

Exodus 22:20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-30

(image courtesy: Google)

A Poem written by Leigh Hunt about a man called Abou Ben Adhem is apt for today's readings. Abou Ben Adhem woke from his sleep one night and saw in his room an angel writing in a book of gold the names of those who love God. “And is mine one?” inquired Abou. “Nay, not so,” replied the angel. “I pray thee, then, said Abou, “Write me as one who loves his fellow men.” The following night the angel came again and displayed the names of those who love God and Abou Ben Adhem’s name topped the list. This poem makes the point that true love of God and true love of our fellow human beings are like two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist apart from the other. That is what we find in today's gospel.

Jesus is here reacting against a one-dimensional understanding of love. For Jesus, true love must express itself in three dimensions. These three dimensions are (a) love of God, (b) love of neighbour, and (c) love of oneself. The first two are positively commanded; the last one is not commanded but presumed to be the basis of all loving. The commandment to love your neighbour as yourself presumes that you love yourself.

In these two commandments, Jesus encapsulates the essence of our faith. Love of God and love of neighbor are at the core of everything we believe and strive to live. They are the foundation upon which the entire moral and spiritual edifice of our lives is built.

First and foremost, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This means that God should be the center of our lives, the one around whom our thoughts, desires, and actions revolve. To love God with all our heart is to offer Him our deepest affections and to seek His presence in our lives daily. To love God with all our soul is to dedicate our very being to Him, recognizing that we are His beloved children, created in His image and likeness. To love God with our entire mind is to engage our intellect in the pursuit of understanding and knowing Him better. It involves studying the Scriptures, deepening our knowledge of the faith, and continually seeking to grow in wisdom and understanding.

But Jesus does not stop there. He goes on to emphasize the inseparable connection between the love of God and the love of neighbour. He says, "The second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself." In this statement, Jesus underscores the importance of living out our faith in concrete, practical ways. Our love for God should overflow into our love for others. The way we treat our neighbours, whether they are family, friends, or strangers, is a direct reflection of our love for God.

Loving our neighbor as ourselves means recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. It means showing kindness, compassion, and empathy to those in need. It means being willing to forgive and reconcile with those who have wronged us. It means advocating for justice and working to alleviate the suffering of the marginalized and oppressed.

In a world that often emphasizes self-centeredness and individualism, Jesus' call to love our neighbour as ourselves challenges us to transcend our selfish inclinations and extend our care and concern to those around us. This commandment challenges us to be selfless, to put the needs of others before our own, and to seek opportunities to be a source of love and support in the lives of those we encounter.

As we reflect on these two great commandments, it is essential for us to examine our own lives and ask ourselves some critical questions: Do I genuinely love God with all my heart, soul, and mind? Do I seek to deepen my relationship with Him through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments? Do I allow my love for God to transform me into a more loving and compassionate person? Am I actively living out the commandment to love my neighbour as myself? Do I see the face of Christ in every person I encounter, and do I respond to their needs with love and kindness?

The world is in desperate need of love. Love has the power to heal wounds, bridge divides, and bring about positive change. Our commitment to loving God and loving our neighbour has the potential to transform not only our lives but also the lives of those we touch. It is through our actions of love that we become witnesses to the Gospel, sharing the good news of Christ's love with a world hungering for hope and compassion. Let us not forget to reflect on the people of Israel and Palestine. Keeping aside the politics, we need to understand the people who need love and care in these troubled times. 

Let us take to heart the words of Jesus and make them the guiding principles of our lives. Let our love for God be fervent and unwavering, and let our love for our neighbour be selfless and all-encompassing. In doing so, we fulfil the greatest commandments and become true disciples of Christ, bearing witness to His love in the world. May God grant us the grace and strength to live out these commandments faithfully, and may our lives be a testimony to the transformative power of love.

Happy Sunday