30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
In our reading, we are called to be kind to people who are from different places because you used to be strangers, too. Don’t hurt widows and orphans. Don’t make people pay back more than they owe you. God has a special place in his heart for the poor, widows, and orphans. He wants us to be kind toward them, too. If you harm them and they pray to God for help, you will be punished.
In our gospel, we hear the story about a Pharisee lawyer who asked Jesus what the greatest commandment in the law is. Jesus responded that the first commandment “You must love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and the second “You must love your neighbour just as you love yourself.” are the most important. These are Jesus’ commandments. The original 10 commandments have 3 pertaining to love of God and 7 pertaining to love of neighbour and ourselves.
Reflection Prayer:
Love never hurries, it is always kind.
It is not jealous, and never boasts of its greatness.
Love is not rude or selfish.
It is always ready to forgive and forget mistakes we make.
Love is no friend of wickedness, but delights in honesty and truth.
Love is strong and never gives up.
It never loses its trust in God or its hope for the future.
Love will survive all things because it is everlasting.
Special Saint/Feast Day: – St. Nicholas – December 6th
Nicholas lived in the fourth century in Asia Minor (Turkey today). He was the only child of Christian parents.
After his parents died, Nicholas was raised by his uncle who also was a Bishop. Nicholas was eventually ordained as a priest.
He was known to have a giving and charitable heart. He gave all of his money to charity.
Once, a poor man was not able to afford weddings for his three daughters. Nicholas heard about this problem so he went to the man’s house at night and secretly gave him a pouch of gold through the window for the oldest daughter. Nicholas did the same for the second daughter.
The grateful man kept watch to find out who was so good to him. When he saw Nicholas come again for his third daughter, he recognized him and thanked him over and over.
Nicholas eventually became a bishop who loved justice. He saved three innocent men who were being falsely accused and were condemned to death. Bishop Nicholas made the accuser admit that he was paid money to get rid of the 3 men.
We can learn from St. Nicholas how to have generous, loving hearts. He went out of his way to do good for people. He’ll teach us how to be like him if we ask him.