In the first reading, the voice of God warns not to oppress the alien and the widow and take advantage of the needy. How do you promote the just treatment of the vulnerable?

Romantics take a beating in this cold cruel world for their stubborn and dreamy insistence that “all you need is love.” Realists view such a wide-eyed allegiance to love harshly. The young dreamers in an old Sonny and Cher song lament the skepticism of their elders: “They say our love won’t pay the rent.”

When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”

In the summer of 2020, our parish, and the world, lost a vessel of unconditional love when Matt died of brain cancer at the age of 55. Matt adored his wife, Katie, and was an incomparable dad to his three kids.

Mr. Cardinale was rehearsing his lines in his mind. His daughter had missed curfew once again, and she’d already been warned. How often had he told her about curfew—rule number one?

The greatest commandment: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, doesn’t really need a second commandment to follow it. But Jesus offers one about loving your neighbor as yourself. Why?

I met a community organizer at a number of meetings in the neighborhood. I liked her style, so one day I asked her how she had gotten into her profession. She spoke of her idealism in college, but that it was mostly talk and little action. A trip to India radicalized her as she experienced the sheer enormity of the poverty that she found all around her.

We turn to our God who responds to those who cry out in prayer.

We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God.