Theme: His Love Animates Good

It is troubling when individuals deliberately make others feel unwelcome, rejected, or inferior. It is even more concerning when spiritual or temporal leaders overlook such conduct to appease their inner circles, let citizens suffer, and then offer them meagre provisions they themselves cannot use.

After Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, religious leaders confronted Him, challenging His criticism of their ungodly conduct and failed leadership and questioning His authority to preach the gospel. In response, He told them three parables: the two sons, the wicked tenants, and the wedding banquet.

These parables are meant to open hearts to God's revelation in Christ Jesus and lead people to conversion. Yet the religious leaders responded negatively, as some do when confronted with their mistreatment, misjudgment, and marginalisation of fellow citizens. They sought to discredit our Lord Jesus publicly by asking questions designed to trap Him: about paying taxes to Caesar, the status in the afterlife of a woman who had married seven brothers, and, in today’s Gospel, the greatest commandment in the Torah.

In the first and second readings, the Word of God warns of the consequences that await those who adopt hostile attitudes and become heralds of inhumane leaders. It also speaks of the blessings bestowed on those who welcome others and treat them with compassion and love.

Thus, our Lord Jesus reiterated two commandments of love that we must obey to live well, with fairness, justice, and happiness. These commandments come from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18, showing that love for God and love for one’s neighbour are inseparable commandments that give meaning to all others, guard against hostility and division, and enable the reign of peace.

 

In other words, agape—the love that seeks the good of others, distinct from eros (love of attraction), storge (familial love), and philia (love of friendship)—gradually enables us to love others with the same love that inspires faithfulness, kindness, generosity, and selflessness.

Thus, a person truly animated by agape would not oppress a sojourner, mistreat a widow or orphan, or impoverish others. Such a person loves even when doing so is uncomfortable, seeking the happiness and peace of others.