Jesus gives us two commandments that sound simple enough. Living them out? Well, that’s where things get interesting.
This week on All Set for Sunday, Scott Williams welcomes Fr. Peter Marshall to unpack the readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. And at the heart of it all is a question that might just change how we treat the people around us.
Are we actually loving God and our neighbor?
Two Commandments, One Big Mission
In Sunday's Gospel, the Pharisees try to trip Jesus up with a question: Which commandment is the greatest?
Jesus responds with two:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37–39)
Simple, right?
Fr. Peter reminds us that these commandments aren't separate checkboxes on our spiritual to do list. They're inseparable. We can't truly love God without loving our neighbor, and our love for others must be rooted in our love for God.
Before You Speak, Ask Yourself This
In a world filled with arguments, division, and the occasional heated comment section, Fr. Peter offers a practical challenge:
Is what I'm about to say or do loving God and my neighbor?
Or am I just trying to win an argument, score points, or prove how clever I am?
Ouch. That one hits close to home.
The first reading from Exodus calls us to compassion and generosity toward those in need (Exodus 22:20–26), while St. Paul encourages us to become imitators of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:6–10).
Love isn't just something we talk about. It's something we live.
Don't Forget to Love Yourself, Too
Here's an important twist: Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Fr. Peter explains that loving ourselves means seeing ourselves as God sees us, not with entitlement, but not with harsh self criticism either.
Sometimes that means admitting we need help, asking others to pray for us, and remembering that we, too, are worthy of God's love.
And that love is meant to draw us into community, especially through the Eucharist and the people around us.
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