30TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME HOMILY YEAR A 2026
THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
Mt 22.34-40 Ex 22.24-40 1Thess 1.5-10
We’d have to agree it has been a shocking week in our country, where one of the most decent, thoughtful, respectful persons in Federal Parliament being mindlessly attacked, resulting in life-threatening injuries, losing both legs, but then assurance given by her husband that her heart and mind were still intact, despite it all.
Prior to her election as an Independent, Helen was a nurse and then medical researcher. Her principles are clear, with a record of a “community-focussed, progressive-leaning stance on key issues… (such as) Integrity and anti-corruption… climate change and energy… health and aged care… cost of living and welfare… (along with) social and regional issues.”
Whatever her religious leanings or otherwise, it would have to be said that her values align with Gospel teaching, in terms of who is my neighbour, to be loved! And it seems generally agreed that she has no so-called ‘enemies’ at all, in the often unnecessarily conflicted environment of politics and people.
As PM Anthony Albanese said of her: “There’s a reason Helen Haines is so loved and admired., because she’s someone of integrity… who treats everyone with respect and… someone who is beacon of light for that community in northern Victoria.”
Prior to this horrific event, as I’ve mentioned before, there has been no limit to the ongoing verbal abuse unleashed on social media by hateful and inconsiderate individuals just venting their negative hostility against those who disagree with them. This means of communication has opened up a way of self-expression which knows no boundaries of decency and respect. What is our world coming to, we may well ask?
Last Monday, I said the graduation Mass for 167 young adults at St Columba’s, along with their parents and teachers, part of the celebrations of the conclusion of their secondary school years, as they prepare to enter the broader world of further education and pursuing careers, and new relationships, as well as maintaining friendships made along the way. I reflected on the need for all of us to seek truth, as Gospel people, before just believing what is written, or said, or portrayed in the media.
There is concern about the myriad of sources of information on social media these days, much of which is not fact, but personal opinion, fake news, conspiracy theories, or prejudiced, aggressive and often enough, offensive. We need to check our facts and figures, not just believe what we are told, without substantiation. The warnings are there; let’s hope there are more guardrails introduced to ensure human control, and presentation of truth, rather than fiction and lies, confusing and misleading us all. We need to always remember, HI (‘Human Intelligence’) is far more significant and important than AI, which can be very helpful in serving humanity, but not taking over!
Now, today’s Gospel contains the third challenge to Jesus by the religious leaders, personified here by a so-called lawyer, who asks a basic question, hardly a trick one, given that it’s simply asking for a summary of what’s at the heart of Jewish law. There was the question about tax, which Jesus cleverly addresses, then the sad sack Sadducees seeking his views on resurrection and marriage in heaven. Next, it is about the here and now, as to the fundamental commandment of the Law.
In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ response includes the Shema, directly from Deuteronomy: “Hear, O Israel. The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut 6.4). Matthew omits this reference, perhaps indicating his move away from the Temple and Jewish Tradition, as Christian communities diversified. At the same time, the continuity is clear, in Jesus’ words about respecting the Law and the Prophets, but with priority given to the core value of love, in all of its many wonderful aspects.
‘Love’ is far more than a pleasant warm and fuzzy feeling, but here it is a whole hearted commitment to connecting faith in a God of life and love, to an active commitment to living out in action the responsibility of the call to service of others, all classified as ‘neighbours’, without discrimination or limits, including those with whom we find it difficult to get on with. That’s the hard part, but that’s the deal!
As the JBC (Jerome Biblical Commentary) puts it, love is “a matter of willing and doing with all your heart… soul… mind. The rabbis stressed this part of the commandment: Heart meant will, soul meant life, and strength meant wealth”, although Matthew uses ‘mind’, perhaps suggesting a focus on perseverance in good works. Further: “The commandment includes a right form of self-love… The rabbis said the world hangs on Torah, Temple service and deeds of loving kindness – or, on truth, judgement and peace. Matthew makes the law itself depend upon deeds of love.”
Then, when we look at the first reading, we can see a parallel with concrete examples given, of welcoming the stranger, looking after the widow and orphan and providing support for the poor, without blame or judgement, and, for a contemporary mention, keep interest rates down!! Then Paul follows up with encouraging the Thessalonians to persevere in living their newly found faith, and not to fall back into idolatry.
Claude Mostowik MSC offers an insight too: “So often, religious practice does not lead to true compassion. Religious observance (prayer and contemplation) must have social consequences because… (Pope) Francis spoke of mercy, which he did often, it seemed new to many people. In fact, it was not new. It was just not emphasised enough. It was an old teaching with a new urgency. Jesus came to liberate people and set the oppressed free. This is our mission too, as many people live in the shadows and feel silenced and oppressed. The Gospel is clear that law will not bring about the deep transformation our world needs.” As a supposed canon lawyer, I have to concur!
The love that we bring into our world is what’s needed. As we once heard: “All You Need Is Love”; it’s not ethereal, romantic love, but universal love, to be lived out actively, in concrete attitudes and actions.
john hannon 25th October 2026