First reading: Exodus 22:20-26
Psalm 17: I love you, Lord, my strength.
Second reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40
Love God and your neighbour
A reflection by Rev. Fr. Dr. Fred O. Ogbu
In today’s Gospel an expert in the Law asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus brings us to the heart of faith: love of God and love of neighbour belong together. We cannot claim to love the God we do not see while mistreating the people we see every day.
Before speaking about others, in our compounds, family meetings, parish groups or WhatsApp chats, we can ask three questions: Is it true? Is it good? Is it useful? Our words should build people up. Christian love does not mean concealing abuse or injustice, and healthy self-love is not selfishness: you too bear God’s image.
Take a concrete step this week: speak kindly to someone, forgive, check on a sick or poor neighbour, or refuse to pass on gossip.
Love of neighbour is a path that leads to the encounter with God.
Pope Benedict XVI
From the diocesan secretariat
- All Souls collection at all Masses on Monday 2 November. Please give generously.
- Vacancy: an office secretary with good Microsoft Word and CorelDRAW skills is needed at the Diocesan Catholic Secretariat. Apply with a letter of recommendation from your parish priest at the general office (bulletin office).
- Diocesan Mary League handover meeting of new and old officers, Saturday 14 November, 10am, Cathedral premises.
- Diocesan Nnemuroha quarterly meeting, Saturday 31 October, 10am, Cathedral church underground.
- Diocesan Maria Rosa Mystica meeting and election, Saturday 31 October, 11am, St. Theresa’s Cathedral.
- Nsukka Deanery Choirmasters meeting, Saturday 31 October, 1pm, St. John’s Parish, Ihe-Owerre.
- Aku Deanery Laity Council meeting, Saturday 7 November, 10am, St. Bernard’s Parish, Mgboko-Aku.
- Enugu-Ezike Deanery Altar Girls meeting, Saturday 14 November, 9:30am, Ss. Joachim and Anne, Ogrute.
- Ibagwa-Ani Deanery Guild of St. Anthony meeting, Saturday 31 October, 10am, St. Theresa’s Parish, Owerre Obukpa.
- Ukehe Deanery Catechists general meeting, Saturday 7 November, 10am, Maria Assumpta Parish, Ibule Ukehe.
This week
- Wednesday 28 October: Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles (feast)
- Saturday 31 October: Vespers I of All Saints
- Sunday 1 November: All Saints (solemnity)
The full bulletin, with the Mass texts in Latin, English and Igbo, the readings, obituaries and the other notices, is in the PDF.