Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time 2024

On November 1st, we celebrated the Mass of All Saints, named and unnamed, who have gone before us, the saintly ones, who have been faithful in their witness to Christ. The following day, we celebrated the Mass of All Souls: those souls that may need to be purified before they are with God. These are the souls we pray for, our deceased loved ones. 

Reflecting on this, I thought, “Their path is set.” The saints are in trials, even the souls in purgatory; it’s just a matter of time before they get to heaven. But what about us, the living? Yes, we are all in Communion with God, but for us, it is still to be determined: there is no guarantee that we will get to heaven. 

Mother Church has given us, in today’s readings, a ‘guide’ perhaps to provide direction. Moses, prays for patience after 40 years with his people,  leading them through the wilderness; they test him in many ways. Now,  almost to the Promised Land, he says to them: “These are my last words to you. If you do these things, you will prosper: Keep the commandments with  HIM, and you will have a long life; observe them so that you may grow and prosper all the more. 

He says, “Hear, O Israel!!” Implying that they not only hear but listen and know that “The Lord is our God; The Lord alone! Love Him with all you  have: your heart, soul, mind, strength, your being.” 

A Jewish tradition I have witnessed involves wearing a small leather box on their foreheads or sleeves. In that box is a tiny scroll with the words ‘shel yad’ meaning ‘Listen/Hear.’ This is their way of remembering to Love the Lord in the same way as Moses was instructing the Israelites. Keep the Lord in the forefront of your mind 24/7, 365. 

How often do we think about God? Just when we need something or every ‘once-in-a-while? Or, do we go about each day as if we have a leather box within our forehead? Do we hear God and keep His  Commandments? Do we love Him, with our whole, total being? If we think about Godly things, carve His words in our hearts and minds, keep Him very close, and talk to God all day long, the chance of committing sin is much less.

In today’s gospel, a scribe very knowledgeable in Old Testament Law comes to Jesus with a sincere heart, wanting to know what God’s first and most important commandment is. Jesus responds, giving him some guidance by way of a ‘new revelation’ as He quotes Moses regarding the 1st commandment. Then, Jesus goes on to say, “The 2nd is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” He realizes that the scribe is ‘getting it.’  

Just as parents identify themselves with their children, and children with their parents, God sees us, made in His image and likeness, as  His ‘family’. If we love each other, we love Him. The path to heaven is not a straight line. If we broaden our concept of ‘neighbor’ to include everyone we encounter in life: rich, poor, privileged, and underprivileged,  we will be on the path toward Heaven.  

Are we loving those around us? Or do we feel as “Peanuts” does: “…I  love humankind; it’s people I can’t stand…”! As far as God is concerned, His creation (the world) is truly one family! If we are not loving even one of our ‘neighbors,’ we are not loving God.  

In the end, Moses knew that the coming of Jesus as High Priest,  interceding and praying for us, would give us the capacity, means, His Holy Spirit, and help, to love our neighbor as He loves us today; to live it with all our heart, and to bring us on the path to our eternal home in  Heaven.  

May God bless us and keep us always in His care.