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The 30thSunday of Ordinary Time, YearA
Love: The Vertical and Horizontal Dimensions
Dear family of All Saints Parish; In the first reading of today, through Moses, God warns us: “You must not oppress the stranger or molest him…not be harsh with the widow or with orphans.” Therefore, the lesson here is that we must treat others justly and with love. In the second reading, Paul reminds the Thessalonians community of their former status as pagans and how they were liberated through the power of the good news. Their liberation was a sign of God’s love for them. Their acceptance of the good news was equally a sign of their love for God. We too, as a parish family have accepted the faith therefore, we are encouraged to endure in love until the coming of the Lord.
In today’s gospel, the Pharisees posed Christ another “difficult” question: “Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?” As usual, this was in order to test him. A close look at Jesus’ response today reveals that Jesus presents us with the vertical dimension of love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul….” It is important to note that to love God with one’s body and soul requires a lot of sacrifice and humility. To love God is an essential prerequisite for being like him. The second dimension of love is horizontal: “You must love your neighbor as yourself?” This is more difficult than the first. This is because we neglect and take it for granted. This is by thinking that we can love God alone without loving our neighbors. Saint Augustine admonishes us; “Love and do whatever you will…. Let the root of love be within. Of this root can nothing spring but what is good.”Therefore, brothers and sisters, those who choose to live in peace must help their neighbors to live in peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well too. The value of one’s life is measured by the lives it touched positively. So, with the psalmist, let us all proclaim: “I love you, Lord, my strength.”
Rev. Barnabas F. Shayo, A.J., Pastor-All Saints Parish
Why do Catholics make sign of the cross?
Catholics make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of prayers, during Mass, and at various points in their daily lives as a way to invoke the Holy Trinity and express their faith. It is also used during significant moments such as baptisms and blessings.
Why we genuflect at Mass. What does it mean and when should we do it?
According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, “A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross from the solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on Good Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil” (274).
Why Mass Begins with the sign of the Cross?
Mass begins with the Sign of the Cross because the entire rite takes place within the space of the Most Holy Trinity.
What is the liturgical kiss?
The Liturgical Kiss is when the bishop or priest and deacon kiss the altar at the beginning of Mass because it symbolizes Jesus himself. The same with the text of the Gospel: After the priest or, if present, the deacon reads the Gospel, he kisses the text. Kisses show up at other times: during Good Friday services, for example, when the faithful process forward to kiss the feet of Jesus on the crucifix.
Why Catholics sit and stand during readings?
Standing has been a common posture for prayer since the early Christians. It’s a sign of respect, and can also be a wordless symbol for the Resurrection. Catholics may sit while the two readings from the Old Testament and from the New Testament Epistles are read; but we always stand for a reading of the Gospel, in which are found the words of Christ himself.
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