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Fr. Dave Heney

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Gospel Reflections for October 25 2020: 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

October 23, 2020 By Father Dave 20 Comments

Gospel Reflections for October 25 2020

Gospel for October 25 2020 – Matthew 22:34-40

Gospel Reflections for October 25 2020

Jesus keeps it simple

The Bible is a big book and not easy to read. Maybe you have felt frustrated by difficult verses. You are not alone. Many people have felt the same way, including those in today’s Gospel.

They come to Jesus with a tough question. They knew He was wise, cured the sick, walked on water, and even raised the dead, so they asked if He could summarize the whole Bible into one answer.

They simply ask, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus simply responds that you are to Love God, and love others as you love yourself. You cannot get clearer than that!

Love means that you choose to make the welfare of another person, as God designed for that person, your own heartfelt desire. Love is not a feeling, it is a decision. You are called to love not only your family, but all people. Love simply means you wish everyone the happiness that God wants for them as well. 

Must you love bad people too? Yes, by wanting them to repent and change so that they will finally know the happiness that comes from following the Lord. After all, Jesus came to a very bad place called Earth that was filled with very sinful people precisely to show us that love. 

Love describes who Jesus is and why He is here. When you love God, others, and yourself, as He loves, you slowly discover yourself profoundly happy. That is why it is important to connect with the person of Jesus.

That is why St. Bruno’s and all parishes are here; to make it easy to meet the Lord, because it is His love within you that will enable you to love yourself and others just as God loves you. God only wants your lasting happiness, in good times and in bad. That is the only love that deeply satisfies.  

That is also why we still have mass, and all our sacraments available even during all these state mandated restrictions. In good times and in bad we focus only on love. 

That is why we still have our School and Religious Education programs too, so that our young people can meet the Lord and learn how to face the challenges in our world today. 

That is why we have changed our St. Bruno website to offer so many different ways to still connect with the wisdom of our Lord during this Covid-19 time. 

What is the simple answer to life? Love Jesus, Others …and You! Each word begins with letters that spell J.O.Y. That kind of love is a joy to have …and easy to remember!

God Bless!

Fr. Dave

Fr. Dave Heney - DaveHeney.com

Filed Under: Gospel Reflections

About Father Dave

Fr. Dave Heney was ordained a parish priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1978. In 1991 he received a Masters degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from the University of Southern California. He has authored three books and founded The University Series, a Lenten adult education program. Currently he is Pastor of St. Bruno Catholic Church in Whittier, California. Learn more about Fr. Dave >>

Comments

  1. Kathleen Auth says

    October 24, 2020 at 6:14 am

    Dear Father Dave,

    I’ll always remember J.O.Y.

    Another great Gospel synopsis. Thank you.

    God bless.

    Kathleen A.

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:45 pm

      You are welcome!

      Reply
  2. William Searight says

    October 24, 2020 at 6:33 am

    Dear Father Dave,

    Paulla and I are praying for you
    Hope you are doing well
    God Bless,

    Bill

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:45 pm

      Thank you for your prayers. They must be working because all is well here. Thanks again.

      Reply
  3. Rita Knowlton says

    October 24, 2020 at 7:26 am

    Thank you, Fr. Dave, for this inspiration and for the video on The Mass and COVID-19 which gives meaning to our necessary sacrifices now.

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:46 pm

      I am very glad you enjoyed the video. I think it has an important message.

      Reply
  4. Jane says

    October 24, 2020 at 11:12 am

    I love it.! J. O. Y. Jesus. , others, yourself!!
    So simple. Just as Jesus love for us is easy to accept.
    I know that I need to spend time in prayer to make it easier to love others & self. It is challenging in today’s secular world. Some days I need to add to my prayers to teach me to be more kind & more humble. I can always ask Jesus to make me more like him in every way. The focus of “be the change you wish to see in the world”” Gandhi.

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:47 pm

      Yes, and each day is a chance to start all over again!

      Reply
  5. Larry Schauf says

    October 24, 2020 at 11:21 am

    “Love is not a feeling – it is a decision”…to give others the happiness God wants them to have.

    Thanks again Fr. Dave – that says it all!

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:47 pm

      You are very welcome!

      Reply
  6. franca dornan says

    October 24, 2020 at 11:44 am

    Dear Father Dave!!!
    Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Jesus, Others and You!!! We will live those precious words of LOVE!!! We loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you!!
    Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick and family!!! Stay well and safe for we need beautiful YOU!!!

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:47 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  7. Rebecca McCann says

    October 24, 2020 at 2:25 pm

    Your reflection was right on. The biggest point is too choose love. It always isn’t easy. However, I found that when I have trouble with someone to look at myself to see why. That is no fun. Then I deal with myself.

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:48 pm

      Well, loving our self is right up there with the other two!

      Reply
  8. Gary Fidone says

    October 24, 2020 at 3:23 pm

    Love this reflection Father.. answering the question what does God want or what would Jesus do all boils down to J.O.Y. Make the more loving choice. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:49 pm

      You are very welcome! I am glad you liked the article. I always like it when I can discover a way to keep things simple and easy to remember.

      Reply
  9. Philomena Gatto says

    October 24, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    We see that the Love commandments are the highest form of love, pure self giving
    that is devoid of self seeking. Since our neighbor is closely related to our love for God,
    our love for neighbor arises out of our love for God.
    .

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:49 pm

      Yes, well said.

      Reply
  10. larrys turner says

    October 25, 2020 at 9:48 am

    I wanted to compliment the deacon who spoke on October 11th on your video mass. We try to join you every week and feel we are in actual attendance with you as you celebrate mass. Please share our compliment with the deacon.

    Larry & Kathleen Turner

    Reply
    • Father Dave says

      October 25, 2020 at 5:50 pm

      I will be happy to send on your compliments to Deacon Michael Freeman. He will be glad to know. Thanks!

      Reply

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