Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 148
Lectionary: 148
Thus says the LORD:
"You shall not molest or oppress an alien,
for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.
You shall not wrong any widow or orphan.
If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me,
I will surely hear their cry.
My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword;
then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans.
"If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people,
you shall not act like an extortioner toward him
by demanding interest from him.
If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge,
you shall return it to him before sunset;
for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body.
What else has he to sleep in?
If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate."
"You shall not molest or oppress an alien,
for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.
You shall not wrong any widow or orphan.
If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me,
I will surely hear their cry.
My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword;
then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans.
"If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people,
you shall not act like an extortioner toward him
by demanding interest from him.
If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge,
you shall return it to him before sunset;
for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body.
What else has he to sleep in?
If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate."
Responsorial
PsalmPS 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
R. (2) I love
you, Lord, my strength.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
The LORD lives and blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
The LORD lives and blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
Reading 21 THES 1:5C-10
Brothers and sisters:
You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,
receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit,
so that you became a model for all the believers
in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth
not only in Macedonia and in Achaia,
but in every place your faith in God has gone forth,
so that we have no need to say anything.
For they themselves openly declare about us
what sort of reception we had among you,
and how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God
and to await his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead,
Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.
You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,
receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit,
so that you became a model for all the believers
in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth
not only in Macedonia and in Achaia,
but in every place your faith in God has gone forth,
so that we have no need to say anything.
For they themselves openly declare about us
what sort of reception we had among you,
and how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God
and to await his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead,
Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.
AlleluiaJN 14:23
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
Meditation: What
is the greatest rule of life?
What is the purpose of God's law and commandments? The
Pharisees prided themselves in the knowledge of the law of Moses and the ritual
requirements of the law. They made it a life-time practice to study the 613
precepts of the Torah - the books of the Old Testament containing the Law of
Moses - along with the numerous rabbinic commentaries on the law. The religious
authorities tested Jesus to see if he correctly understood the law as they did.
Jesus startled them with his profound simplicity and mastery of the law of God
and its purpose.
God's love rules all
Jesus summarized the whole of the law in two great commandments found in Deuteronomy 6:5 - "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might" - and Leviticus 19:18 - "you shall love your neighbor as yourself". God's love directs all that he does - His love is holy, just, and pure because it seeks only what is good, beneficial, and life-giving - rather than what is destructive, evil, or deadly. That is why he commands us to love - to accept and to give only what is good, lovely, just, and pure and to reject whatever is contrary.
Jesus summarized the whole of the law in two great commandments found in Deuteronomy 6:5 - "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might" - and Leviticus 19:18 - "you shall love your neighbor as yourself". God's love directs all that he does - His love is holy, just, and pure because it seeks only what is good, beneficial, and life-giving - rather than what is destructive, evil, or deadly. That is why he commands us to love - to accept and to give only what is good, lovely, just, and pure and to reject whatever is contrary.
God puts us first in his thoughts
God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us (1 John 3:1, 4:7-8, 16). God puts us first in his thoughts and concerns - do we put him first in our thoughts? God loved us first (1 John 4:19) and our love for him is a response to his exceeding goodness and kindness towards us. The love of God comes first and the love of neighbor is firmly grounded in the love of God. The more we know of God's love, truth, and goodness, the more we love what he loves and reject whatever is hateful and contrary to his will. God commands us to love him first above all else - his love orients and directs our thoughts, intentions, and actions to what is wholly good and pleasing to him. He wants us to love him personally, wholeheartedly, and without any reservation or compromise.
God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us (1 John 3:1, 4:7-8, 16). God puts us first in his thoughts and concerns - do we put him first in our thoughts? God loved us first (1 John 4:19) and our love for him is a response to his exceeding goodness and kindness towards us. The love of God comes first and the love of neighbor is firmly grounded in the love of God. The more we know of God's love, truth, and goodness, the more we love what he loves and reject whatever is hateful and contrary to his will. God commands us to love him first above all else - his love orients and directs our thoughts, intentions, and actions to what is wholly good and pleasing to him. He wants us to love him personally, wholeheartedly, and without any reservation or compromise.
The nature of love - giving to others for their sake
What is the nature of love? Love is the gift of giving oneself for the good of others - it is wholly other oriented and directed to the welfare and benefit of others. Love which is rooted in pleasing myself is self-centered and possessive - it is a selfish love that takes from others rather than gives to others. It is a stunted and disordered love which leads to many hurtful and sinful desires - such as jealousy, greed, envy, and lust. The root of all sin is disordered love and pride which is fundamentally putting myself above God and my neighbor - it is loving and serving self rather than God and neighbor. True love, which is wholly directed and oriented to what is good rather than evil, is rooted in God's truth and righteousness (moral goodness).
What is the nature of love? Love is the gift of giving oneself for the good of others - it is wholly other oriented and directed to the welfare and benefit of others. Love which is rooted in pleasing myself is self-centered and possessive - it is a selfish love that takes from others rather than gives to others. It is a stunted and disordered love which leads to many hurtful and sinful desires - such as jealousy, greed, envy, and lust. The root of all sin is disordered love and pride which is fundamentally putting myself above God and my neighbor - it is loving and serving self rather than God and neighbor. True love, which is wholly directed and oriented to what is good rather than evil, is rooted in God's truth and righteousness (moral goodness).
How God loves us
God loves us wholly, completely, and perfectly for our sake - there is no limit, no holding back, no compromising on his part. His love is not subject to changing moods or circumstances. When God gives, he gives generously, abundantly, freely, and without setting conditions to the gift of his love. His love does not waver, but is firm, consistent, and constant. He loves us in our weakness - in our fallen and sinful condition. That is why the Father sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to redeem us from slavery to sin and its disordered cravings, desires, passions, and addictions. God the Father always seeks us out to draw us to his throne of mercy and help. God the Father corrects and disciplines us in love to free us from the error of our wrong ways of thinking and choosing what is harmful and evil rather than choosing what is good and wholesome for us. Do you freely accept God's love and do you willingly choose to obey his commandments?
God loves us wholly, completely, and perfectly for our sake - there is no limit, no holding back, no compromising on his part. His love is not subject to changing moods or circumstances. When God gives, he gives generously, abundantly, freely, and without setting conditions to the gift of his love. His love does not waver, but is firm, consistent, and constant. He loves us in our weakness - in our fallen and sinful condition. That is why the Father sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to redeem us from slavery to sin and its disordered cravings, desires, passions, and addictions. God the Father always seeks us out to draw us to his throne of mercy and help. God the Father corrects and disciplines us in love to free us from the error of our wrong ways of thinking and choosing what is harmful and evil rather than choosing what is good and wholesome for us. Do you freely accept God's love and do you willingly choose to obey his commandments?
We do not earn God's love - it is freely given
How can we possibly love God above all else and obey his commandments willingly and joyfully, and how can we love our neighbor and willing lay down our life for their sake? Paul the Apostle tells us that "hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). We do not earn God's love - it is freely given to those who open their heart to God and who freely accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord Jesus to flood your heart with his love through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
How can we possibly love God above all else and obey his commandments willingly and joyfully, and how can we love our neighbor and willing lay down our life for their sake? Paul the Apostle tells us that "hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). We do not earn God's love - it is freely given to those who open their heart to God and who freely accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord Jesus to flood your heart with his love through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Love grows with faith and hope
What makes our love for God and his commands grow in us? Faith in God and hope in his promises strengthens us in the love of God. They are essential for a good relationship with God, for being united with him. The more we know of God the more we love him and the more we love him the greater we believe and hope in his promises. The Lord Jesus, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, gives us a new freedom to love as he loves. Paul the Apostle writes, "For freedom Christ has set us free... only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh [sinful inclinations], but through love be servants of one another" (Galatians 5:1,13). Do you allow anything to keep you from the love of God and the joy of serving others with a generous heart?
What makes our love for God and his commands grow in us? Faith in God and hope in his promises strengthens us in the love of God. They are essential for a good relationship with God, for being united with him. The more we know of God the more we love him and the more we love him the greater we believe and hope in his promises. The Lord Jesus, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, gives us a new freedom to love as he loves. Paul the Apostle writes, "For freedom Christ has set us free... only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh [sinful inclinations], but through love be servants of one another" (Galatians 5:1,13). Do you allow anything to keep you from the love of God and the joy of serving others with a generous heart?
"Lord Jesus, your love surpasses all. Flood my
heart with your love and increase my faith and hope in your promises. Help me
to give myself in generous service to others as you have so generously given
yourself to me."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Loving God with heart, mind, and soul,
by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"Worthy is he, confirmed in all his gifts, who
exults in the wisdom of God, having a heart full of the love of God, and a soul
completely enlightened by the lamp of knowledge and a mind filled with the word
of God. It follows then that all such gifts truly come from God. He would
understand that all the law and the prophets are in some way a part of the
wisdom and knowledge of God. He would understand that all the law and the
prophets depend upon and adhere to the principle of the love of the Lord God
and of neighbor and that the perfection of piety consists in love." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13)
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Exodus 22:20-26
Like his forebears, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob led a semi-nomadic existence in Canaan. He was forced by a severe famine to emigrate with his entire family to Egypt, where they settled around the beginning of the eighteenth century before Christ.
Over the next 400 years the Scriptures tell us nothing about the stay of the Jews in Egypt. God makes no revelation during this period. All we know is that by the end of it the Hebrews had become a numerous, strong, hardworking people; so much so that the Egyptians, growing afraid of them, forced them into slavery.
The book of Exodus (which means “leaving”) is a continuation of the story of Genesis. The fact that it takes its name from the Israelites’ going out of Egypt shows the importance of this episode in the life of Israel.
Although this book takes the form of a popular narrative, easy for the people to understand, it also contains important religious teachings. The episodes in this history obviously involve special divine intervention: there is no other explanation for the liberation of Israel or the crossing of the Red Sea or its survival for so long in the wilderness.
As we approach our reading today we find ourselves with the Israelites at the base of Mount Sinai. God has offered a covenant [“Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep (shammar) my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6)]. Shammar is a word which can be translated as “keep” but might be better translated as “guard (keep safe)” (see Genesis 2:15). The people have accepted the invitation [“Everything the LORD has said, we will do” (Exodus 19:8)].
The people however are afraid to go up the mountain so they send Moses in their stead. Moses receives the ten commandments verbally and verbally delivers them to the people. Moses then ascends the mountain again and God gives him other laws: the treatment of Hebrew slaves, rules of conduct for personal injuries, the rules and penalties for the protection of property, laws of justice and mercy, and laws of social responsibility – it is from these laws that our reading for today is taken. Today’s reading appears as Exodus 22:21-27 in most translations but the New American Bible, Jerusalem Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible have it as Exodus 22:20-26.
20 “You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.
The alien is one who, because of war, plague, famine, or bloodguilt, was forced to leave his home. In his new abode, his civil rights are, understandably, less than those of his neighbors. As assurance that the Israelites would be hospitable to these unfortunates, the code reminds them of their former status as aliens in Egypt.
21 You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. 22 If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. 23 My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword; then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans.
Any wrong done to the unprotected widow and orphan would incur a wrathful Yahweh as their avenging kinsman.
24 “If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him by demanding interest from him.
Extortion of interest on a loan to a fellow Israelite, particularly if he were needy, was sharply prohibited. However, the Old Testament does not proscribe all interest. From both Leviticus 25:35-38 and Deuteronomy 23:20-21, the injunction clearly regarded only a loan to one’s countryman. The deuteronomic code clearly allows interest to be demanded from foreigners. The loans addressed here are not for commercial purposes but to alleviate distress: to take interest on them would be to profit from another’s misfortune.
25 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you shall return it to him before sunset; 26 for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body. What else has he to sleep in? If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate.
The poor are specifically protected; their cloak, which also served as their blanket at night, had to be returned to them by evening. The compassionate God watches over the weak. Amos 2:8 accuses the wealthy of sleeping upon garments taken in pledge.
2nd Reading - 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10
In evangelization the initiative lies with God and it is He who causes the preaching of the Gospel to bear fruit. The election of the Christian is made by God and proceeds from His love (1:4); His son, Jesus, “who delivers us from the wrath to come (1:10), sustains our hope (1:3); the action of the Holy Spirit renders the preacher’s word persuasive (1:5) and fills with joy those who listen to it no matter what trials may befall them (1:6). The core of preaching is the gospel (1:5), that is, the good news of salvation foretold by the prophets and brought to fulfillment by our Lord Jesus Christ. The proclamation of this news tells those who listen that they are Abeloved by God,” specially chosen by Him (1:4). They are called to turn to God (1:9), who will give the three theological virtues (faith, hope and charity) to those who accept the Christian message (1:3). Faith and the sanctifying action of the Holy Spirit lead believers to salvation, to attaining the glory of the Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). Let’s read last week’s reading along with the one for this week.
1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly 3 calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, 4 knowing, brothers loved by God, how you were chosen. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the holy Spirit and (with) much conviction. You know what sort of people we were (among) you for your sake.
The reading for last week closed with a proclamation about how evangelization (preaching the gospel) was carried out. This week’s reading completes that verse by stressing that the apostle’s lifestyle is an important witness to the authenticity of their message.
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,
Christianity is an imitation of God after the manner revealed by Jesus. The apostles imitate Jesus and their converts imitate them.
“Those who, eager to believe, suffer insults and injuries from their fellows, are precisely those who may be called imitators of the apostles and of the Lord Himself. He suffered the same things from the Jews, as did the apostles who endured persecution as they pursued their faith in God.” [The Ambrosiaster (between A.D. 366-384), Commentaries on Thirteen Pauline Epistles 1 Thessalonians 1:6]
receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the holy Spirit,
Joy in the faith in spite of persecution is the work of the Holy Spirit and the imitation of Christ.
7 so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
Modern day Greece
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and (in) Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.
The conversion of the Thessalonians is celebrated.
9 For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
In the Septuagint and in the New Testament, idols are synonymous with false gods; they do not exist and their worship is related to demons. Their conversion involves a departure from the worship of non-existent gods for the service of a God who truly lives and is what He claims to be.
10 and to await his Son
To the monotheism of the living God is added Christology. Jesus of Nazareth is the son of God, and God has raised Him from the dead.
from heaven,
The dwelling place of God.
whom he raised from (the) dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.
The end times are also mentioned – this same Jesus who was raised from the dead will come and rescue us from the definitive manifestation of God’s wrath, the unrepentant sinner will be punished.
Gospel - Matthew 22:34-40
Last week we heard Jesus’ reply to the question of paying taxes – a question which had been designed to trip Him up. After this, and before today’s reading, Jesus is approached by the Sadducees who question Him about the resurrection and whose wife the woman with seven husbands will be. Jesus reply is that in heaven there is no marriage because all are like angels, but there certainly is an afterlife because God had called Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:6) and He is the God of the living and not the dead. He has sidestepped the Sadducees and has again astounded the crowd.
34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them (a scholar of the law)
Some translations call him a lawyer. He is a scribe, one learned in the Torah.
tested him by asking, 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
The Pharisees had enumerated 613 commandments but there was no agreement as to what the ranking was. After all, one of them must be the most important, the first from which all the others descended.
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.
Jesus cites Deuteronomy 6:5. Love is not primarily a feeling but covenant fidelity – a matter of willing and doing. Although this is part of the schema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, Numbers 15:37-41), a prayer recited daily by faithful Jews and the principal Jewish confession of faith, it was not numbered among the commandments.
39 The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus now cites Leviticus 19:18, another one not numbered among the commandments.
40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
The rabbis said that the world hangs on Torah, temple service, and deeds of loving kindness – or on truth, judgment and peace. Jesus makes the Law itself depend upon deeds of love.
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Exodus 22:20-26
Like his forebears, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob led a semi-nomadic existence in Canaan. He was forced by a severe famine to emigrate with his entire family to Egypt, where they settled around the beginning of the eighteenth century before Christ.
Over the next 400 years the Scriptures tell us nothing about the stay of the Jews in Egypt. God makes no revelation during this period. All we know is that by the end of it the Hebrews had become a numerous, strong, hardworking people; so much so that the Egyptians, growing afraid of them, forced them into slavery.
The book of Exodus (which means “leaving”) is a continuation of the story of Genesis. The fact that it takes its name from the Israelites’ going out of Egypt shows the importance of this episode in the life of Israel.
Although this book takes the form of a popular narrative, easy for the people to understand, it also contains important religious teachings. The episodes in this history obviously involve special divine intervention: there is no other explanation for the liberation of Israel or the crossing of the Red Sea or its survival for so long in the wilderness.
As we approach our reading today we find ourselves with the Israelites at the base of Mount Sinai. God has offered a covenant [“Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep (shammar) my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6)]. Shammar is a word which can be translated as “keep” but might be better translated as “guard (keep safe)” (see Genesis 2:15). The people have accepted the invitation [“Everything the LORD has said, we will do” (Exodus 19:8)].
The people however are afraid to go up the mountain so they send Moses in their stead. Moses receives the ten commandments verbally and verbally delivers them to the people. Moses then ascends the mountain again and God gives him other laws: the treatment of Hebrew slaves, rules of conduct for personal injuries, the rules and penalties for the protection of property, laws of justice and mercy, and laws of social responsibility – it is from these laws that our reading for today is taken. Today’s reading appears as Exodus 22:21-27 in most translations but the New American Bible, Jerusalem Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible have it as Exodus 22:20-26.
20 “You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.
The alien is one who, because of war, plague, famine, or bloodguilt, was forced to leave his home. In his new abode, his civil rights are, understandably, less than those of his neighbors. As assurance that the Israelites would be hospitable to these unfortunates, the code reminds them of their former status as aliens in Egypt.
21 You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. 22 If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. 23 My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword; then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans.
Any wrong done to the unprotected widow and orphan would incur a wrathful Yahweh as their avenging kinsman.
24 “If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him by demanding interest from him.
Extortion of interest on a loan to a fellow Israelite, particularly if he were needy, was sharply prohibited. However, the Old Testament does not proscribe all interest. From both Leviticus 25:35-38 and Deuteronomy 23:20-21, the injunction clearly regarded only a loan to one’s countryman. The deuteronomic code clearly allows interest to be demanded from foreigners. The loans addressed here are not for commercial purposes but to alleviate distress: to take interest on them would be to profit from another’s misfortune.
25 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you shall return it to him before sunset; 26 for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body. What else has he to sleep in? If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate.
The poor are specifically protected; their cloak, which also served as their blanket at night, had to be returned to them by evening. The compassionate God watches over the weak. Amos 2:8 accuses the wealthy of sleeping upon garments taken in pledge.
2nd Reading - 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10
In evangelization the initiative lies with God and it is He who causes the preaching of the Gospel to bear fruit. The election of the Christian is made by God and proceeds from His love (1:4); His son, Jesus, “who delivers us from the wrath to come (1:10), sustains our hope (1:3); the action of the Holy Spirit renders the preacher’s word persuasive (1:5) and fills with joy those who listen to it no matter what trials may befall them (1:6). The core of preaching is the gospel (1:5), that is, the good news of salvation foretold by the prophets and brought to fulfillment by our Lord Jesus Christ. The proclamation of this news tells those who listen that they are Abeloved by God,” specially chosen by Him (1:4). They are called to turn to God (1:9), who will give the three theological virtues (faith, hope and charity) to those who accept the Christian message (1:3). Faith and the sanctifying action of the Holy Spirit lead believers to salvation, to attaining the glory of the Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). Let’s read last week’s reading along with the one for this week.
1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly 3 calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, 4 knowing, brothers loved by God, how you were chosen. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the holy Spirit and (with) much conviction. You know what sort of people we were (among) you for your sake.
The reading for last week closed with a proclamation about how evangelization (preaching the gospel) was carried out. This week’s reading completes that verse by stressing that the apostle’s lifestyle is an important witness to the authenticity of their message.
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,
Christianity is an imitation of God after the manner revealed by Jesus. The apostles imitate Jesus and their converts imitate them.
“Those who, eager to believe, suffer insults and injuries from their fellows, are precisely those who may be called imitators of the apostles and of the Lord Himself. He suffered the same things from the Jews, as did the apostles who endured persecution as they pursued their faith in God.” [The Ambrosiaster (between A.D. 366-384), Commentaries on Thirteen Pauline Epistles 1 Thessalonians 1:6]
receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the holy Spirit,
Joy in the faith in spite of persecution is the work of the Holy Spirit and the imitation of Christ.
7 so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
Modern day Greece
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and (in) Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.
The conversion of the Thessalonians is celebrated.
9 For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
In the Septuagint and in the New Testament, idols are synonymous with false gods; they do not exist and their worship is related to demons. Their conversion involves a departure from the worship of non-existent gods for the service of a God who truly lives and is what He claims to be.
10 and to await his Son
To the monotheism of the living God is added Christology. Jesus of Nazareth is the son of God, and God has raised Him from the dead.
from heaven,
The dwelling place of God.
whom he raised from (the) dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.
The end times are also mentioned – this same Jesus who was raised from the dead will come and rescue us from the definitive manifestation of God’s wrath, the unrepentant sinner will be punished.
Gospel - Matthew 22:34-40
Last week we heard Jesus’ reply to the question of paying taxes – a question which had been designed to trip Him up. After this, and before today’s reading, Jesus is approached by the Sadducees who question Him about the resurrection and whose wife the woman with seven husbands will be. Jesus reply is that in heaven there is no marriage because all are like angels, but there certainly is an afterlife because God had called Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:6) and He is the God of the living and not the dead. He has sidestepped the Sadducees and has again astounded the crowd.
34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them (a scholar of the law)
Some translations call him a lawyer. He is a scribe, one learned in the Torah.
tested him by asking, 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
The Pharisees had enumerated 613 commandments but there was no agreement as to what the ranking was. After all, one of them must be the most important, the first from which all the others descended.
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.
Jesus cites Deuteronomy 6:5. Love is not primarily a feeling but covenant fidelity – a matter of willing and doing. Although this is part of the schema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, Numbers 15:37-41), a prayer recited daily by faithful Jews and the principal Jewish confession of faith, it was not numbered among the commandments.
39 The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus now cites Leviticus 19:18, another one not numbered among the commandments.
40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
The rabbis said that the world hangs on Torah, temple service, and deeds of loving kindness – or on truth, judgment and peace. Jesus makes the Law itself depend upon deeds of love.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church,
Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org
THIRTIETH
SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, MATTHEW 22:34-40
(Exodus 22:20-26; Psalm 18; 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, MATTHEW 22:34-40
(Exodus 22:20-26; Psalm 18; 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10)
KEY VERSE: "The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments" (v 40).
TO KNOW: The Pharisees believed in all of the written Hebrew Scriptures ("the law and the prophets") as well as the oral interpretations of the law. These included 613 precepts, which were divided into categories of greater or lesser importance. The Sadducees accepted only the first five books of the law (the Pentateuch) and rejected oral tradition. Both groups were opposed to Jesus. A scribe, an expert in the law, challenged Jesus by asking which of the laws was greater than the others. Jesus summed up the entire law with two commands: to love God and to love one's neighbor as oneself. The first commandment that Jesus quoted was Deuteronomy 6:5. That verse was part of the Shema, the basic creed of Judaism with which every Jewish service still opens. It means that human beings must give God their total love. The second commandment that Jesus quoted came from Leviticus 19:18. Love for God must issue forth in love for one another. But the order of the commandments must be noted: love for one another is firmly grounded in the love of God. To be truly religious is to love God and to love the human beings made in God's own image. The whole law is based upon these two commandments. Jesus perfectly fulfilled this law of love in his words and deeds.
TO LOVE: Have I obeyed the commandment to love God and my neighbor? Do I have a healthy self-love?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, fill me with great love for you so that it will overflow to others.
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY
Priesthood Sunday, the last Sunday of October, is a special day set aside to honor the priesthood in the United States. It is a day to reflect upon and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church as a central one. Priesthood Sunday sends a message to all that the sins of a few do not reflect the innocent majority, and that the parish priest, as the instrument of Christ's ministry on earth, is loved and respected by those in the parish community.
This nationwide event is coordinated by the USA Council of Serra International. It is sponsored by the USA Council of Serra International and the Serra International Foundation.
Sunday 29
October 2017
Psalter Week II. 30th Sunday in
Ordinary Time.
Exodus
22:20-26. Psalm 17(18):2-4, 47, 51. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10. Matthew 22:34-40.
I love
you, Lord, my strength — Psalm 17(18):2-4, 47, 51.
‘Do you
love me?’.
Love is a strange word in English.
We use it for so many things; clothes, food, entertainment, holidays. When
Jesus asked Peter those three times ‘Do you love me?’ he used different words
for platonic, filial or a ‘willingness to die for me’ kind of love.
The two great commandments call us
to look closely at how we live here on earth: to honour our Creator and live
among our fellows with a common goal.
To love our neighbour is to treat
all as a loved brother or sister; this means our familiar neighbours, the
marginalised, refugees, and any stranger in our midst. Lord, grant me the kind
of self-love which is healthy and good, so I, in turn, may truly love others.
BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA
Helen Kafka was born in 1894 to a shoemaker and grew up in Vienna,
Austria. At the age of 20, she decided to join the Franciscan Sisters of
Christian Charity and took the name Restituta after an early Church martyr.
In
1919, she began working as a surgical nurse in Austria. When the Germans
took over the country, she became a local opponent of the Nazi regime. Her
conflict with them escalated after they ordered her to remove all the
crucifixes she had hung up in each room of a new hospital wing.
Sister
Maria Restitua refused, and was arrested by the Gestapo in 1942. She was
sentenced to death for "aiding and abetting the enemy in the betrayal of
the fatherland and for plotting high treason.”
She
spent the rest of her days in prison caring for other prisoners, who
loved her. The Nazis offered her freedom if she would abandon the
Franciscan sisters, but she refused. She was beheaded March 30, 1943 in Vienna,
and was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 21, 1998.
LECTIO DIVINA: 30TH SUNDAY OF
ORDINARY TIME (A)
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, October 29, 2017
The greatest commandment
To love God is to love one’s neighbor
To love God is to love one’s neighbor
Matthew 22:34-40
1. Opening prayer
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us
to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples
on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you
helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your
sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope
became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may
listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in
people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we
too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your
resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of
fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who
revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
2. Reading
a) A key to the reading:
In the Gospel of the 30th Sunday
of ordinary time, the Pharisees want to know what Jesus thinks is the greatest
commandment of the law. This theme was much discussed among the Jews of those
days. It was a regular debate. Today too, people wish to know what defines a
person as a good Christian. Some say that this consists in being baptized,
praying and going to Mass on Sunday. Others say it consists in practicing
justice and living out fraternity. Each has his or her opinion. According to
you, what is the most important thing in religion and in the life of the
Church? When reading this text try to pay great attention to the way Jesus
answers the question.
b) Text:
34 But when the Pharisees heard that He
had silenced the Sadducees they got together 35 and, to put Him to the
test, one of them put a further question, 36 'Master, which is the
greatest commandment of the Law?' 37 Jesus said to him, 'You must 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 command-ment. 39 The
second resembles it: You must love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these
two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets too.'
3. A moment of prayerful silence
so that the Word of God may penetrate
and enlighten our life.
4. Some questions
to help us in our personal reflection.
a) What did you like most in this text
or what touched you most? Why?
b) Who were the Pharisees then? Who are the Pharisees today?
c) How could the question asked of Jesus by the Pharisees put Him to the test?
d) What is the relationship between the first and the second commandment?
e) Why is it that the love of God and the love of neighbor constitute a summary of the law and the prophets?
b) Who were the Pharisees then? Who are the Pharisees today?
c) How could the question asked of Jesus by the Pharisees put Him to the test?
d) What is the relationship between the first and the second commandment?
e) Why is it that the love of God and the love of neighbor constitute a summary of the law and the prophets?
5. For those who wish to go deeper into
the theme
a) The context of this text as it
appears in the Gospel of Matthew:
This is one of the many discussions
Jesus had with the religious authorities of that time. This time it was with
the Pharisees. First, the Pharisees had tried to discredit Jesus with the
people by spreading theories about Him saying that He was possessed by devils
with which He drove out Beelzebub (Mt 12:24). Now, in Jerusalem, they enter
once more into a discussion with Jesus concerning the interpretation of the law
of God.
b) A commentary on the text:
Matthew 22:34-36: A question put by the
Pharisees.
First, to put Jesus to the test, the Sadducees had asked Him about belief in the resurrection and were firmly silenced by Jesus (Mt 22:23-33). Now the Pharisees come to the fore. The Pharisees and Sadducees were enemies, but they become friends in criticising Jesus. The Pharisees come together and one of them represents them by asking for a clarification: “Master, which is the greatest commandment of the law?" In those days, the Jews had a huge number of norms, customs, and laws, great and small, to regulate the observance of the Ten Commandments. One point concerning two commandments of the law of God was a matter of great discussion among the Pharisees. Some said: "All the laws, great or small, have equal value because they all come from God. We cannot make distinctions in matters concerning God". Others said: "Some laws are more important than others and thus they deserve greater observance!" The Pharisees want to know where Jesus stands in this debate.
First, to put Jesus to the test, the Sadducees had asked Him about belief in the resurrection and were firmly silenced by Jesus (Mt 22:23-33). Now the Pharisees come to the fore. The Pharisees and Sadducees were enemies, but they become friends in criticising Jesus. The Pharisees come together and one of them represents them by asking for a clarification: “Master, which is the greatest commandment of the law?" In those days, the Jews had a huge number of norms, customs, and laws, great and small, to regulate the observance of the Ten Commandments. One point concerning two commandments of the law of God was a matter of great discussion among the Pharisees. Some said: "All the laws, great or small, have equal value because they all come from God. We cannot make distinctions in matters concerning God". Others said: "Some laws are more important than others and thus they deserve greater observance!" The Pharisees want to know where Jesus stands in this debate.
Matthew 22:37-40: Jesus’ reply.
Jesus replies by quoting some words from the Bible: You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind!" (cfr Dt 6:4-5). In Jesus’ days, pious Jews recited this phrase three times a day, morning, noon and night. It was a well-known prayer among them, as the Our Father is for us today. And Jesus goes on quoting the Old Testament: "This is the greatest and first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18). And He concludes: "On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets too". In other words, this is the way to God and the neighbor.neighbor There is no other. The greatest temptation of human beings is that of trying to separate these two loves, because in this way the poverty of others would not discomfort their consciences.
Jesus replies by quoting some words from the Bible: You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind!" (cfr Dt 6:4-5). In Jesus’ days, pious Jews recited this phrase three times a day, morning, noon and night. It was a well-known prayer among them, as the Our Father is for us today. And Jesus goes on quoting the Old Testament: "This is the greatest and first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18). And He concludes: "On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets too". In other words, this is the way to God and the neighbor.neighbor There is no other. The greatest temptation of human beings is that of trying to separate these two loves, because in this way the poverty of others would not discomfort their consciences.
c) A deepening:
i) Pharisees:
The word “Pharisees” means “separate”
because their rigid way of observing the Law of God separated them from others.
Among themselves they called each other companions because they formed a
community whose ideal was that of observing absolutely the norms and all the
commandments of the Law of God. The way of life of most of them was a witness
to the people because they lived by their laborlabor and dedicated many hours
every day to study and meditation on the law of God. But there was something
very negative They sought their safety not in God but in the rigorous
observance of the Law of God. They trusted more in what they did for God than
in what God did for them. They had lost the notion of gratuity, which is the
source and fruit of love. Before such a false attitude towards God, Jesus
reacts firmly and insists on the practice of love that makes the observance of
the law, and of its true meaning, relative. In an age of change and
uncertainty, such as now, the same temptation reappears. Seeking safety before
God, not in the goodness of God towards us, but in the rigorous observance of
the Law. If we succumb to such a temptation, then we deserve the same censure
from Jesus.
ii) A parallel between Mark and Matthew:
In the Gospel of Mark, it is a doctor of
the law who asks the question (Mk 12:32-33). After listening to Jesus’ reply,
the doctor agrees with Him and draws the following conclusion: "Yes, to
love God and neighborneighbor is far more important than any holocaust or
sacrifice". Or else, the commandment of love is the most important among
all the commandments concerned with cult and sacrifices of the Temple and with
external observances. This statement already existed in the Old Testament from
the time of the prophet Hosea (Hos 6:6; Ps 40:6-8; Ps 51:16-17). Today we would
say that the practice of love is more important than novenas, promises, fasts,
prayers and processions. Jesus approves of the conclusion reached by the doctor
of the law and says: "You are not far from the Kingdom"! The Kingdom
of God consists of this: acknowledging that the love of God is equal to the
love of neighbor. We cannot reach God without giving ourselves to the neighbor!
iii) The greatest commandment:
The greatest commandment and the first
is this: "You must love God with all your heart, with all your soul and
with all your mind" (Mk 12:30; Mt 22:37). As far as the people of God,
throughout the centuries, understood the meaning of this love did they become
aware that the love of God is real and true only if it is made concrete in the
love of neighbor. That is why the second commandment resembles the first (Mt
22:39; Mk 12:31). "Anyone who says, ‘I love God’, and hates his brother,
is a liar" (1Jn 4:20). "On these two commandments hang the whole Law,
and the Prophets also" (Mt 22:40). Because of this identification of the
two loves, there has been an evolution in three phases:
1st Phase:
"neighbor", is the relative of the same race
The Old Testament already taught that we must "love our neighbor as ourselves!" (Lv 19:18). Then the word neighbor was synonymous with relative. They felt obliged to love all those who were part of the same family, the same clan, the same people. As for strangers, that is, those who did not belong to the Jewish people, the book of Deuteronomy says: “From a foreigner you may exact payment, but you must remit whatever claim you have on your brother (relative, neighbor)!" (Dt 15:3).
The Old Testament already taught that we must "love our neighbor as ourselves!" (Lv 19:18). Then the word neighbor was synonymous with relative. They felt obliged to love all those who were part of the same family, the same clan, the same people. As for strangers, that is, those who did not belong to the Jewish people, the book of Deuteronomy says: “From a foreigner you may exact payment, but you must remit whatever claim you have on your brother (relative, neighbor)!" (Dt 15:3).
2nd Phase:
"neighbor" is the one I approach or who approaches me.
The concept of neighbor is broadened. In Jesus’ time, there was a whole discussion as to “who is my neighbor?” Some doctors of the law thought the concept of neighbor had to be extended beyond the limits of race. Others would not hear of this. So a doctor turns to Jesus and asks this vexed question: "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus replies with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37), where the neighbor is neither the relative nor the friend, but all those who approach us, irrespective of religion, colour, race, gender or language! You must love him!
The concept of neighbor is broadened. In Jesus’ time, there was a whole discussion as to “who is my neighbor?” Some doctors of the law thought the concept of neighbor had to be extended beyond the limits of race. Others would not hear of this. So a doctor turns to Jesus and asks this vexed question: "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus replies with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37), where the neighbor is neither the relative nor the friend, but all those who approach us, irrespective of religion, colour, race, gender or language! You must love him!
3rd Phase: The measure
of our love for the “neighbor” is the love with which Jesus loves us.
Jesus had said to the doctor of the law: "You are not far from the Kingdom!" (Mk 12:34). The doctor was already close because in fact, the Kingdom consists in uniting the love of God with the love of neighbor as the doctor had solemnly declared before Jesus (Mk 12:33). But to enter the Kingdom he had to take one more step. In the Old Testament, the criterion of love for neighbor was the following: "love your neighbor as yourself". Jesus stretches the criterion further and says: "This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you! A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends!" (Jn 15:12-13). Now, in the New Testament, the criterion is: "Love your neighbor as Jesus loved us!". Jesus interpreted the exact meaning of the Word of God and showed us the way to a more just and fraternal way of life.
Jesus had said to the doctor of the law: "You are not far from the Kingdom!" (Mk 12:34). The doctor was already close because in fact, the Kingdom consists in uniting the love of God with the love of neighbor as the doctor had solemnly declared before Jesus (Mk 12:33). But to enter the Kingdom he had to take one more step. In the Old Testament, the criterion of love for neighbor was the following: "love your neighbor as yourself". Jesus stretches the criterion further and says: "This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you! A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends!" (Jn 15:12-13). Now, in the New Testament, the criterion is: "Love your neighbor as Jesus loved us!". Jesus interpreted the exact meaning of the Word of God and showed us the way to a more just and fraternal way of life.
6. Psalm 62
In God alone there is rest for my soul
In God alone there is rest for my
soul,
from Him comes my safety;
he alone is my rock, my safety,
my stronghold so that I stand unshaken.
How much longer will you set on a victim,
all together, intent on murder,
like a rampart already leaning over,
a wall already damaged?
Trickery is their only plan,
deception their only pleasure,
with lies on their lips they pronounce a blessing,
with a curse in their hearts.
from Him comes my safety;
he alone is my rock, my safety,
my stronghold so that I stand unshaken.
How much longer will you set on a victim,
all together, intent on murder,
like a rampart already leaning over,
a wall already damaged?
Trickery is their only plan,
deception their only pleasure,
with lies on their lips they pronounce a blessing,
with a curse in their hearts.
Rest in God alone, my soul!
He is the source of my hope.
He alone is my rock, my safety, my stronghold,
so that I stand unwavering.
In God is my safety and my glory,
the rock of my strength.
In God is my refuge;
trust in him, you people, at all times.
Pour out your hearts to him,
God is a refuge for us.
Ordinary people are a mere puff of wind,
important people a delusion;
set both on the scales together,
and they are lighter than a puff of wind.
He is the source of my hope.
He alone is my rock, my safety, my stronghold,
so that I stand unwavering.
In God is my safety and my glory,
the rock of my strength.
In God is my refuge;
trust in him, you people, at all times.
Pour out your hearts to him,
God is a refuge for us.
Ordinary people are a mere puff of wind,
important people a delusion;
set both on the scales together,
and they are lighter than a puff of wind.
Put no trust in extortion,
no empty hopes in robbery;
however much wealth may multiply,
do not set your heart on it.
Once God has spoken,
twice have I heard this:
Strength belongs to God,
to you, Lord, faithful love;
and you repay everyone as their deeds deserve.
no empty hopes in robbery;
however much wealth may multiply,
do not set your heart on it.
Once God has spoken,
twice have I heard this:
Strength belongs to God,
to you, Lord, faithful love;
and you repay everyone as their deeds deserve.
7. Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that
has enabled us to understand better the will of the Father. May your Spirit
enlighten our actions and grant us the strength to practice that which your
Word has revealed to us. May we, like Mary, your mother, not only listen to but
also practise the Word. You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of
the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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