October 29, 2023, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time-A

Exodus 22:20-26

Psalm 18

1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Matthew 22:34-40

“You shall love the Lord…  You shall love your neighbor…  Mt. 22:37, 39

Lord, you blessed America’s Founding Fathers with the wisdom to produce the US Constitution which is the basis for all our civil laws. It contains the freedoms and responsibilities we have as a nation. When tested by an expert in religious law, you stated the foundation of all our spiritual freedoms and responsibilities. Loving our God and Father with everything we’ve got comes first. But you quickly add our duty to love each other too. These two form the basis for our relationships with our Creator and His children, our brothers and sisters.  These two commandments are like the hinges on a door. Doors only work if they have two hinges working together. Lord, thank you for laying out what is truly important for me to live the life you won for me on the cross.  Today, dear Jesus, show me how to love you and my neighbor.   The Pharisees continued to harass you but you loved them nevertheless. Help me with your grace to love the difficult, the different, even the annoying people in my life.   Amen