LOVE IS THE MEASURE OF OUR CHRISTAIN DISCIPLESHIP

Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scriptural Texts: Exodus 22:20-26, 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, Matthew 22:34-40

The readings for this Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, call us to reflect on the central theme of our faith - love. Love is the foundation of our relationship with God and with one another, and it lies at the core of our Christian faith. As we will see in the readings, this love is not merely a sentiment but a commandment from God that should shape our lives as Christians.

In the Gospel reading, the Pharisees challenge Jesus, asking him about the greatest commandment. Jesus responds by highlighting the inseparable connection between love for God and love for one’s neighbor. He summarizes the entire moral law (613 laws) by commanding us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:34-39). Our faith is built upon the foundation of love. Jesus makes it clear that all the commandments and teachings of the prophets revolve around these two commandments: love for God and love for neighbor (Matthew 22:40). Our faith is empty without love.

The first reading reminds us that love is not a passive emotion but a dynamic, life-transforming force. It reaches out to the stranger, cares for the widow and orphan, and uplifts the poor. This love is not just sentimental; it is practical, making a tangible impact on the lives of those we encounter. The message that God has for us in the first reading is a message of justice and compassion, emphasizing the importance of love in our actions. In loving our neighbor, we honor and worship God. When we uplift the vulnerable, care for the stranger, extend compassion to the marginalized, and support the needy, we echo the heart of God. In the same way, St. Paul in the second reading reminds us that real faith too is transformative. It is not merely a set of beliefs but a way of life. When we truly embrace the love of God, it should manifest in our actions. Our faith should inspire love and hope, just as the Thessalonians’ faith did. 

However, loving our neighbor is not without its challenges. In a world marked by division and strife, it is not always easy to extend love to those who differ from us. Yet, it is precisely in those moments that the love of God shines the brightest. When we love those who are different, when we forgive those who wrong us, and when we extend kindness to those in need, we mirror the divine love that encompasses all of humanity. In a world yearning for unity and healing, our love can be a transformative force. It can mend the torn fabric of society, reconcile the divided, and bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. By loving our neighbor, we participate in the grand narrative of redemption and reconciliation that God is authoring.

Lastly, let us remember that our love for God and our love for neighbor are intrinsically linked. It is in loving our neighbors that we manifest God’s love and fulfill his greatest commandments. Let us be vessels of love, knowing that in doing so, we bear witness to the depth of God’s love for all his creation. Amen