The Greatest Commandment

October 29, Sunday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: First Reading: Exodus 22:20–26; Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:5–10; Gospel: Matthew 22:34–40

At times, we work for no purpose. We surround ourselves with rules and regulations in all aspects of our lives and in our relationships with God, ourselves, and our neighbors.

Today’s gospel reminds us that there is only one commandment that is important: love of God and love of neighbor. This summons all of God’s law. It is like the two sides of a coin. We cannot love God if we do not love our neighbor, and vice versa. The first reading from the book of Exodus gives us pointers on how our behavior towards others has a great impact on how God looks at us with great compassion if we are among those who are oppressed: the foreigner, the widow, and the orphan, those who have financial problems, or with great anger if we are among the oppressors.

In the second reading, 1 Thessalonians 1:5–10, the apostle Saint Paul exhorts the community to remember how the power of Jesus Christ's Resurrection transformed them into imitators of the apostles' virtues, how the Spirit made them models for other communities, and the impact their faith had on those around them.

We must believe, because we have also received the same Spirit, that we are capable of modeling virtues and faith to others, that we are capable of living the greatest commandment in our day-to-day lives, and that we are capable of God’s compassion and tenderness. The power of the resurrection is also with us. Let us take steps, no matter how small, toward a more committed Christian life. Let us begin today.