Sunday, October 25, 2026
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary 148
First Reading — Exodus 22:20–26
Exodus 22:20–21 — God commands Israel not to mistreat foreigners, reminding them that they themselves were once strangers in Egypt.
Exodus 22:22–24 — Do not take advantage of widows or orphans. God hears their cries and warns that those who oppress them will face His judgment.
Exodus 22:25 — When lending money to the poor, do not exploit their need by demanding interest.
Exodus 22:26 — If a neighbor gives a cloak as security for a loan, return it before sunset because it may be the only covering that person possesses.
God teaches Israel that obedience involves more than religious observances. His people must demonstrate mercy, compassion, and justice toward others.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 18:2–3, 3–4, 47, 51
Response: I love you, Lord, my strength.
Psalm 18:2–3 — The Lord is our strength, our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. He provides refuge and protection to those who trust Him.
Psalm 18:3–4 — Call upon the Lord, who is worthy of praise. He is our shield and salvation.
Psalm 18:47 — The Lord lives! Blessed is our rock, and exalted is God our Savior.
Psalm 18:51 — God gives victory to His king and shows enduring kindness to His anointed.
Second Reading — 1 Thessalonians 1:5c–10
1 Thessalonians 1:5–6 — Paul reminds the believers that they witnessed the conduct of the apostles and followed their example. Despite suffering, they received God’s Word with joy from the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:7 — Their faith became an example to believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia.
1 Thessalonians 1:8 — The message of the Lord spread through them, and their faith became known far beyond their own community.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 — These Gentile believers had turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 — They awaited Jesus, God’s Son, whom He had raised from the dead and who would deliver them from the coming wrath.
Paul encourages first-century Gentile believers whose faith demonstrated the transforming power of the Gospel. Their conversion showed that God’s promises were reaching the nations through Jesus Christ.
Alleluia — John 14:23
John 14:23 — Jesus promises that those who love Him and obey His Word will be loved by the Father. The Father and Son will come and make their dwelling with them.
Gospel — Matthew 22:34–40
Matthew 22:34–35 — After Jesus silences the Sadducees, the Pharisees gather together. An expert in the Law attempts to test Him.
Matthew 22:36 — He asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest in the Law.
Matthew 22:37–38 — Jesus answers that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Matthew 22:39 — The second great commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:40 — Jesus explains that the entire Law and the Prophets depend upon these two commandments.
Jesus teaches that genuine obedience to God begins with love. All the commandments find their proper purpose in loving God and loving others.
Kingdom Connection
Today’s readings reveal how God’s commandments and promises find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
In Exodus, God commands Israel to demonstrate love and compassion toward others.
Jesus explains to His first-century audience that loving God and loving one’s neighbor forms the foundation of the Law and the Prophets.
Paul shows how the Gospel was already transforming Gentile believers, bringing them into a relationship with the living God through the resurrected Christ.
The New Covenant brings Jews and Gentiles together through faith in Jesus Christ, with love becoming the defining characteristic of His people.
God’s everlasting Kingdom is not established through outward religious observances alone, but through faith in Jesus Christ and the love of God working within His people.
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