Collect Series; Collect for 30th Sunday Year A

 

COLLECT SERIES

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

 

COLLECT

 

The Collect for the 30^th Sunday of the Year reads as follows:

Almighty ever-living God,

Increase our faith, hope and charity,

and make us love what You command,

So that we may merit what You promise. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. Take a stocktake of my faith, hope and charity at this point in my life. Make a list of how these virtues need to increase.
2. Do I have a full understanding of these virtues of faith, hope and love. Read something about them to understand further.  You may wish to read my Virtue series as a starting point.
3. Make a decision to pray for an increase in faith, hope and charity each day as part of your morning prayer.
4. What does God command? 
5. How will l love what God commands this coming week? What step/s will I take?
6. Reflect on what God promises?  What do I need to change in me ( behaviour/attitude) to reflect God within me to the world. (my family, work colleagues, parish family, stranger or someone in the supermarket).

GOSPEL REFLECTION Mt 22:34-40

1. Love as the Foundation of the Law 

Jesus distils the entire Mosaic Law into two primary commandments, both centring on love. From a Catholic perspective, love is the essence of God (1 John 4:8). Every other commandment and directive in the Scriptures can be traced back to this foundational truth. In highlighting these two commandments, Jesus emphasizes the interconnectedness of love for God and love for our neighbours.

2. Love God Wholeheartedly

The first commandment that Jesus underscores isn't just about loving God but loving Him with our entire being -our heart, soul, and mind. This comprehensive love involves our emotions (heart), our spiritual essence (soul), and our intellect (mind). For Catholics, this means that faith isn't just about feelings or rituals; it encompasses every facet of human experience and understanding.

3. Love for Neighbour as an Extension of Divine Love Jesus proclaims that the second commandment is akin to the first. In the Catholic worldview, every human being is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). Therefore, to love our neighbour is, in essence, to recognize and love. God present in each person. It also emphasizes the importance of seeing others as we see ourselves, recognizing our shared humanity and dignity.

4. The Unity of the Scriptures

By stating that "the whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments," Jesus affirms the continuity and unity of God's revelation. For Catholics, this demonstrates that both the Old and New Testaments, while different in their historical and cultural contexts, speak of the same divine truth centered on love.

In summary, this passage from Matthew, when viewed from a Catholic perspective, emphasizes the central role of love in our relationship with God and with others. It calls every believer to a holistic and encompassing love that transcends ritualistic observance and touches the very core of human existence. The essence of the Gospel, and indeed the entirety of the Christian life, is encapsulated in these two profound commandments.