Scripture Reflection - October 25, 2026

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Exodus 22:20-26 - 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10   - Matthew 22:34-40

Loving God means loving the people around us.

In the first reading, God tells his people to care for each other. Strangers, widows, orphans, and those who are poor know what it feels like to struggle and need compassion. God wants them to remember their own hardships and treat others with kindness and understanding.

We can take this message to heart today. There are people all around us who may feel lonely, left out, or forgotten. Sometimes, all they need is someone who will listen, offer a helping hand, or simply let them know they matter.

In the second reading, St. Paul praises the people for living their faith and becoming examples to others. They did not just hear the Word of God; they put it into practice. Their faith showed in the way they lived.

In the Gospel, Jesus makes the message very clear. When asked which commandment is the greatest, He answers that we must love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Then He adds a second commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

These two commandments SHOULD NOT BE SEPARATED. We cannot say we love God and ignore the needs of others. Our love for God should be in the forefront of our daily lives. It should change the way we speak, the way we act, and the way we treat every person we meet.

Helping and loving others does not always require something big. It simply means being patient with someone who feels left out, forgiving someone who has hurt us, or taking time to be with someone who is lonely. Sometimes, this person is not a stranger but someone we see every day. We may be so busy or wrapped up in ourselves that we do not even notice another person’s struggles.

As we look on these readings, perhaps we can ask ourselves: Who needs my kindness today? Who might need a little extra patience, understanding, or love?

Please don’t think we are responsible to change the whole world, because we are not! A good place to start is with the people God places in our lives and then we go from there.

When we love others, especially those who are most in need, we are showing our love for God. That is what Jesus asks of us—not just to know His commandments, but to live them every day.

Maureen Zeiss, Associate