From the Pastor
Fr. Mike Comer shares his thoughts on Scripture, spirituality and the challenges of living the Gospel.
Jesus cuts to the chase on the commandments
Oct. 25, 2026
In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees asked Jesus, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” We have to remember that the law included not only the Ten Commandments, but the entire 600-plus other laws in the Mosaic Law. There was an attempt by many of the rabbis to summarize them into one or two. The Pharisees are trying to put Jesus to the test, and to pit Him against the other rabbis.
Jesus responds, “You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…and the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
These are not just the Two Great Commandments. They are the statement of the meaning of our lives. When we come to the end of our lives, the only question that will matter will be: “Did you learn to love God and to love your neighbor?” Love. That is what our lives are about.
How are you doing at that?
Jesus responds, “You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…and the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
These are not just the Two Great Commandments. They are the statement of the meaning of our lives. When we come to the end of our lives, the only question that will matter will be: “Did you learn to love God and to love your neighbor?” Love. That is what our lives are about.
How are you doing at that?
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
One of the most controversial topics of our time is how we relate to aliens in our midst and those who wish to enter our country. Our first reading gives us some very important guidance. It does not define what our exact policies should be. Instead it gives us guidance about the way we treat aliens.
God says, “You shall not molest or oppress an alien…. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows, and your children orphans.”
That is some pretty straight talk.
Whatever policies we develop about how we deal with the issue of immigration, we must treat aliens and migrants with respect and dignity. We must not mistreat them or abuse them in any way. Their Father in heaven will make sure that we suffer whatever suffering we cause them.
—Fr. Mike Comer
God says, “You shall not molest or oppress an alien…. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows, and your children orphans.”
That is some pretty straight talk.
Whatever policies we develop about how we deal with the issue of immigration, we must treat aliens and migrants with respect and dignity. We must not mistreat them or abuse them in any way. Their Father in heaven will make sure that we suffer whatever suffering we cause them.
—Fr. Mike Comer
