By Naresh Namindla csc –
Readings: Ex 22: 20-26; 1Thes 1: 5-10; Mt 22: 34-40
God took complete responsibility of liberating the people of Israel from Egypt. It became his duty to teach good manners to the people of Israel so that other nations came to know that they were the people of God. Thus, the people of Israel represent God almighty himself to others. As a part and parcel of his teaching, God teaches Israelites to be kind and compassionate towards others,
lest they die. For God is ever attentive to listen to the supplications of his people.
In the second reading, St. Paul praises the people of the Thessalonia for growth of their faith in Christ and for being a model to Macedonians and others. In the Gospel, Jesus summarized all his commandments in two: the love of God and of the neighbour.
Today’s liturgy invites us to become good human beings by loving God and doing good to others. A family, society or a group truly becomes a community when all the members in it equally love one another. Love brings harmony among family members. When there is love, there is no misunderstanding in the family. As Christians, we are invited to love God above everything and love neighbours as we love ourselves.
Love of God and love of neighbour are the two sides of the same coin. Therefore, these two commandments must become part of us to live a good Christian life. Love of God and love of neighbour can be compared to the two parallel railway tracks on which trains travel. We know what happens to the train if any one of the tracks is shaky. Likewise, we cannot ignore God while loving others and we cannot ignore others while loving God, both must go hand in hand. This way God will be pleased about us, as St. Paul was pleased about Thessalonians. Let us pray to God for the grace of loving God and neighbours.