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Lifelong Catechesis

Forming Catholic identity across generations
September 17, 2024
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Ordinary Time

For a large part of the liturgical year, we devote ourselves to listening to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects unfolded as we seek God's truth and understanding.

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I : Exodus 22:20-26

Take care to be just, especially to widows and the poor.

  • Exodus 20-23 consists primarily of laws.
  • Today's passage reminds the Israelites to care for the poor and vulnerable in their midst.
  • Any mistreatment of the vulnerable people in the society would be interpreted as a direct affront to God.

Reading II : 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10

Your faith is an example for others.

  • Paul's thanksgiving for the faith of the Thessalonians continues in today's passage.
  • The Thessalonians have endured with joy the suffering brought by faithfulness to God's Law.
  • As a result, they have become, in their turn, models of faith for the rest of the Near East.

Gospel : Matthew 22:34-40

The great commandment.

  • The discussion of the Law in today's Gospel is one of the four conflict stories in this section of Matthew.
  • A scribe attempts to trap Jesus with the question: "What is the greatest commandment of the Law"?
  • Jesus answers by quoting two passages from the Hebrew Scriptures: the command to love God from Deuteronomy 6:5, and the command to love their neighbor from Leviticus 19:18.