Loving God Wholeheartedly and my Neighbour as Myself

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 25, 2026

Readings: Exodus 22:20-26; Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51; 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10; Matthew 22:34-40

William Blake, Christ Giving Sight to Bartimaeus

What is the reason for which we live in this world? It is to make this world beautiful, caring, loving and merciful. Each one may have his or her own views about this world and how one wants to make his or her life meaningful in fulfilling such a task. We cannot simply follow what others say and be like a parrot repeating what has been told to us. In this complex techno-centred super-intelligence world, our lives have turned out to be like machines, with less love, less compassion, less mercy and more ugliness than before. The reason is simple: we are becoming less human; there is less empathy, no niceties and only an "I don't care attitude". In this context, we have beautiful readings on this 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time reminding us that ultimately, it is only love that matters. Only love is credible. There is nothing less and nothing more.

1. Love is above everything

In today’s Gospel Matthew 22:34-40, a scholar of the law approaches Jesus with a question intended to test him: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” The question arises in a religious tradition that contains many commandments, rules, and regulations. People often debated which commandments were the most important and how they should be observed.

Jesus responds with remarkable clarity. He brings the whole of religious life into focus through two commandments: love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus does not dismiss the importance of the commandments. Rather, he makes it more meaningful. A genuine religious observance must lead us towards love. 

2. Recognizing God as love

Jesus tells us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This is not a superficial or occasional love. It is a love that involves the whole person. To love God with all our heart means to place God at the centre of our desires, affections, and decisions. It means allowing God to shape our priorities rather than allowing money, power, success, status, or personal ambition to dominate our lives.

To love God with all our soul means to entrust our entire life to God. It involves faithfulness in moments of joy as well as in times of suffering, uncertainty, and disappointment. Prayer, worship, sacrifice, moral conduct, and service find their true meaning when they express our love for God and our love for one another.

3. Love in action is true love

Christianity is not merely about following rules; it is about becoming people who love as God loves. To love God with all our mind means to seek God's wisdom in the way we think, judge, and make decisions. Our faith should influence not only what we pray but also how we treat people, conduct our business, exercise authority, and respond to injustice.

The goal of the Christian life is not simply to know more about God, but to grow in love and become more like Christ. The more deeply we encounter God's love, the more generously we are invited to share that love with others. The Word of God invites us to discover God not only in prayer and worship but also in the people, responsibilities, and circumstances of everyday life.

Questions for self-reflection

1. Is there someone I need to forgive? Is there a relationship that needs healing? 
2. Where did I recognize God's presence today?
3. What can I do tomorrow to become a more loving person?

Prayer

Loving God, help me to love you with all my heart, soul, and mind, and to love my neighbours as myself. May my words, thoughts, and actions reflect your love and compassion. Give me the grace to forgive, the courage to serve, and the wisdom to treat every person with dignity and kindness. May my life become a living witness to your love in my family, workplace, and community. I make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

- Fr. Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

23 October 2026