Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Exodus, chapter twenty-two, verses twenty thru twenty-six;
Psalm Eighteen, verses two & three, three & four, forty-seven, & fifty-one;
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter one, verses five(c) thru ten;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-two, verses thirty-four thru forty.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel for today puts us on very holy ground, since it features the Word of God himself telling us what stands at the heart of the law. The Pharisees pose, as a kind of game, the following question: “Which commandment is the greatest?” It was a favorite exercise of the rabbis to seek out the “canon within the canon,” the law that somehow clarified the whole of the law.Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
So Jesus gives his famous answer: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
It’s finally about love, and the love of God and neighbor are inextricably bound to one another. If we follow the law, but don’t love, we’re wasting our time. If we love God, but hate our neighbors, we’re wasting our time.
Why are the two loves so tightly connected? Because Jesus is not just God. He is the God-man, the one in whom divinity and humanity come together. Therefore, it’s impossible to love him as God without loving the humanity that he’s created and embraced.
Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.
Mass Journal: Week 44
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
Grace is the power of God alive within us. It heals the wounds that our sins have created & helps us maintain moral balance. Grace helps us to persevere in the pursuit of virtue. It enlightens our minds to see & know which actions will help us become all God has created us to be. Grace inspires us to love what is good & shun what is evil. Grace is not a magical illusion. It is mystical & real. I come to Confession to reconcile with myself, with God, & with the community. Confession is not just a cleansing experience; it is also a strengthening experience. Confession is an opportunity for you & God to work together to form a-better-version-of-yourself. It also increases our desire for holiness, & that is a desire we should fan with all our energy.
Otherwise, 29 October would be the festival of Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem, Bishop (circa 99-216): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Colman mac Duagh, Bishop & Abbot (circa 560-632, A.K.A. of Kilmacduagh), founder of the Kilmacduagh Monastery: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Monastery.
Commentary: Colman mac Duagh means "Colman, son of Duagh." Kilmacduagh, means "church of the son of Duagh," i.e., the church founded by mac Duagh.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Gaetano Errico, Priest (1791-1860), founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Missionaries.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Chiara Badano, Virgin (1971-1990, A.K.A. Chiara Luce, meaning "clear light"): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.
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