Exodus 22:20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40
Moses has just reminded the people of displaying good behaviour in the community. He asks them to protect their own property and the property of others. In much detail many scenarios are mentioned in which some people might be challenged in order to please God.
In the first Reading, Moses explains how to behave in a fair society. The Israelites are on their way from Egypt to the promised land. A long journey. In many cases the ones who suffered under the Egyptians are not going to enter the promised land themselves, but rather the next generation of Israelites. Without the personal experience they need to be constantly reminded of the history, be grateful to God and put themselves in the shoes of others who are strangers in their land and treat them well. Don’t repeat the injustices you have escaped through the grace of God. Apply the Golden Rule.
Moses also mentions another group of vulnerable members of society: widows and orphans. If this new society in the promised land neglects them, they will feel so helpless that the only one who listens to them is God. God warns the Israelites that if they don’t treat them fairly, God will act in their favour. God will send them to war, and their own children will be then orphans and their wives will be widows. Apply the Golden Rule.
Any position of power requires fairness towards those who are weak. God is the ultimate power, and God will be on the side of the disadvantaged who cry out for help. Never be complacent with your power on earth. Apply the Golden Rule.
In his letter to the Thessalonians, St Paul praises the Thessalonians for their work based on faith, love and hope. The Thessalonians have been spreading the Gospel, the Good News, with so much joy that it is obvious that they are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Like Paul, these Thessalonians have proclaimed the Good News without fear. Their passion and example have attracted people. It is about faith, love and hope. Thanks to them genuinely witnessing deep faith, they have been spreading the message of love and the hope for Jesus’, the saviour’s return. Converts themselves, they did so in such a powerful way that the seeds are planted and the message continues to spread to areas North of Thessaly.
In the Gospel according to Matthew there is also a reference to behaviour and example.
After Jesus had successfully managed to respond to his challengers without falling into any of their traps, he is now asked which one of the Commandments is the most important one. Jesus responds with two Commandments – the love for God and the love for our neighbour. Love as the biggest Commandment. Who could disagree?
In the Exodus Reading, Moses asks the Israelites to remember their own situation in foreign lands. In this Gospel Reading, we are commanded to go one step further and to love God, ourselves and our neighbours. If love is the foundation, all other Commandments will fall into place.
BM
