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St. Jude Catholic Church

Grand Rapids, MI

From the Director of Faith Formation

November 2, 2017 Vol. 4 Issue 44

To get this FREE newsletter e-mailed to

you, contact Mary Ellen at the Parish

Office by calling (616) 363-6897 or by

email to mboruta@stjudes.net

Be sure to check out the new feature

which we have added to the weekly

newsletter. It is titled: LIVING THE

WORD.

This weekly article focuses on preparing

for the Sunday Gospel reading before

hearing it on the weekend. It fills the gap

for those families who may have

teenagers in their household as well as

younger children. It also helps the adults

to come better prepared for listening to

the homily and gospel reading.

Sunday evening, November 12 we will

interrupt our Sunday showing of classic

films on the Old Testament for a parent

meeting for those children who will be

celebrating the sacraments of First

Reconciliation and First Holy

Communion this year. We hope to

complete preparation for the sacrament

of Penance by December so those

children can celebrate their first

confessions before Christmas.

A special call goes out to those who may

have older children who may have not

celebrated Reconciliation yet!

"JACOB" This Sunday evening we will be showing the first part of

the classic TNT film on Jacob. For parents or other adults who

cannot come on Sunday evening, we'll repeat the film at 9:00 am

after the Monday morning Communion Service. We would

especially like to invite the parents of our sixth graders who are

currently studying about Old Testament patriarchs in class.

Abraham only had one son, Isaac. When Abraham died, his son

Isaac, inherited his father’s position as patriarch of the family. Isaac married a women

named Rebekah, with whom he had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. The birth of twin sons

causes a problem: Which son would someday have Isaac’s position in the family?

The position could not be divided. Only one of the twins could inherit it.

Come find out the rest of the story by joining us for part 1 of the classic film " Jacob"

on Sunday, November 5 during the Sunday evening classes at 5:30 pm

On November 12, we have a meeting with parents who have children preparing for the

Sacrament of First Penance or Reconciliation, so the second part of this film will be

shown on November 19 on the big screen in the Brophy Center.

"You Can’t Take it with You" ... a play by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart

Four Performances at the Performance Arts Center

located on the campus of Aquinas College by the

Drama Department at Catholic Central High School.

Performances are on November 2 & 4 at 7:00 pm and on

November 4 & 5 at 2:00 pm in the Performance Arts Center

at Aquinas College on Robinson Rd SE.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students and $4 for age 62 and older and may be

purchased online at http://circletheatre.org or at the Performance Arts Center box

office or by phone at (616) 456-6656, Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 5:00 pm

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read Matthew 23:1-12

Pray with the Word (Pray this text before and after attending Mass.) In

humility and service, O God, your Son came among us to form a community

of disciples who have one Father in heaven, and one teacher, the Messiah.

Fix in our minds his sound teaching, and in our hearts his stern warning that

neither by robes of office, nor seats of respect, can true greatness be

measured, but only by deeds of love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen to Bishop Barron’s radio homily at this time

https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/the-trouble-with-religion/692/

Prepare for the Word (Before attending Mass, reflect on these questions to help prepare to

hear the readings.)

How is your faith community a blessing? How are other parishioners your brothers and sisters?

How do you practice your faith? What actions, private or public, are expressions of your belief

in Jesus?

Reflect on the Word (After attending Mass, reflect on these questions.)

How is Christ your “master” (Matthew 23:10)? How does he help you relate to God the Father? Do you ever relate to

God as a gentle mother?

Knowing that all people are created by one God, how do you relate to others as brothers and sisters? What if they are a

different religion, ethnicity, political persuasion, or nationality?

Act on the Word (Use these ideas to act on the readings during the week.)

This is the week for humble pie! The Gospel frowns on hypocrites who perform all their works in order to be seen. So

this week, you are challenged to cultivate secret kind acts, especially for people with whom you are at odds. Notice the

various people you come into contact with this week, and choose three whom you do not know well and who seem very

different from you. It might even be someone who intimidates or scares you. Pray for them when you see them and

again in your daily prayer time (such as before you sleep). Then choose one of them and do something nice for them, in

secret. At the end of the week, reflect on your actions and attitudes. Now, do you see them more as a brother or sister?

Many thanks for giving us permission to use this copy to The Living Word 2017-2018 Copyright 2017 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications.

Saint Alphonsus On-going Programs for Seniors 55+

St. Alphonsus provides activities on Mondays and Wednesdays each week.

Programs take place in the Parish Center. Everyone 55+ is welcome including

non-parishioners. For more information or to RSVP contact the Senior Program

Voicemail at 616-913-4419 or e-mail vscholten18@gmail.com Phone this

number to obtain the October Calendar of Events.

Monday November 6 Wednesday November 8

Lounge Open- Games, Socializing 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Lounge Open- Games, Socializing 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Playing Cards with Judy 9:30 am – 11:00 am Tai Chi Class 9:30 am – 10:30 am

Tribute to Veterans 11:00 am – 12 Noon Wood Carving 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Tai Chi Class 11:45 am – 12:45 pm Outing: Gun Lake Casino - RSVP 9:45 am – 2:00 pm

Lunch - YAH Sponsored 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Dinner: Soup & Chili 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Movie - "Unbroken" 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Presentation: Community Health Expo- RSVP 6:30 pm

Upcoming Parish Activities at Blessed Sacrament Parish

Bible Study on Mark’s Gospel continues on Tuesday’s at 9:15 am immediately

after the 8:30 am Mass. Come join over 30 people who will be spending several

weeks studying Mark’s Gospel which will be the gospel we will use beginning in

ADVENT. Many of the ladies go out for an early lunch as soon as the session

ends. Everyone is welcome!!

Table of Contents Jacob 1

Living the Word 1

55+ Activities 2

Home Lesson Plans 3/4

Calendar of Events 5

Catholic Info. Ctr. 6

Gospel Summaries 7

Vatican News 8

Home Lesson Plans for November 5, 2017

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3) Our prayers and spiritual lives should

transform us, making us servants of others in the model of Jesus. It is our hope and prayer that

this is the kind of faith our children will observe in us.

Materials Needed A dishpan filled with water; A balloon; A small paper cup; Several paper clips

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Fill the dishpan with water and inflate the balloon. Allow your children to take turns trying to sink the balloon.

Ask: Why is it impossible to get the balloon to stay under water without holding it down? (Allow the children to

speculate about this.) Let the air out of the balloon and show the children how easily the deflated balloon sinks.

Try floating the paper cup, first with nothing in it. Then put paper clips in the cup, one at a time, until the weight forces

the cup to sink. Explain that air is lighter than water.

Say: When things are filled with air, they float; when heavier things are added—or the air is removed as in the case of

the balloon—they sink.

Say: Knowing this information, if you were swimming and felt tired, would you be happier to find a stick in the water or

an inner tube? The knowledge of things that float is useful only if we apply it to our lives. (The inner tube would be

better because it is filled with air and can help you float).

Say: In the Gospel this week, Jesus talks about what actions should follow from our knowledge of God. Let’s listen

carefully to what Jesus teaches.

Read aloud today’s Gospel, Matthew 23:1-12.

Say: In this Gospel, we hear Jesus describe a problem he had observed in some religious teachers. What was the

problem? (He said that they didn’t do what they taught others to do. He said that they prayed, but their actions didn’t

reflect their prayers. They didn’t practice what they preached.) Jesus says that our beliefs about God and our prayers

should lead us to be more loving toward other people

Conclude in prayer together that our love for God will be seen in our actions.

Pray together the Morning Prayer or the Morning Offering. (Click on the links)

Yesterday, November 1st, we celebrated All Saints Day. To conclude this lesson plan have your children sing along

“When the Saints Come Marching In. Click on the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri1UApNR9yY

Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6) Older children are beginning to be able to take on positions of

responsibility and leadership. As they accept these new roles, we can help them to recognize that Christian leadership is

a call to service for the glory of God.

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Ask your children to name people they think of as leaders. For each person they name, ask: What are some key

characteristics of this leader? What are some of this leader’s responsibilities? (Accept all reasonable responses.)

Ask: Do any of these leaders inspire you to want to be a leader? Why or why not? (Accept all reasonable responses.) Are

there any other characteristics you would hope for in a leader? (Accept all reasonable responses.)

Say: In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks to the crowd about some of their religious leaders. In fact, he is rather critical of these

religious leaders. Let’s listen to what Jesus says.

Invite one of your children to read aloud today’s Gospel, Matthew 23:1-12.

Or use this video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr07vty9sVg

Ask: What does Jesus tell the crowd about some of their religious leaders? Why? (He tells them to follow what they

teach, but not to follow their example; Jesus says that they do not practice what they preach.) Jesus then tells the crowd

what characteristic he looks for in a good leader. What does he say? (Jesus says that leaders should be humble; a good

leader serves others.)

Ask: In what ways are the leaders we named earlier like the kind of leader that Jesus described? (Accept all reasonable

responses.) Are there others we might list as leaders in the model of Jesus? Who?

Ask: what makes each a leader in the model that Jesus teaches?

Conclude in prayer together, petitioning God for the wisdom to grow to be people who humbly serve others as Jesus

taught.

Pray together a Prayer for Vocations or the Act of Love.

Watch this fun video clip about Following Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJTr3dcDS0A

Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8) Young people at this age are beginning to assume roles of leadership

at home, in the classroom, and in extracurricular activities. We can encourage them to exercise leadership fairly and

humbly in service to God.

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Reading

Say: You’ve probably heard the words “You know better than that.” The older you get, the more people will look to you

to be a good example for others. In other words, people will look to you for leadership. Ask your children to name areas

in which they are called to exercise more leadership. (Possible answers: in school, in extracurricular activities, in sports,

at home)

Ask: What would you say are the qualities of a good leader? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Say: In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus talks about leadership. Let’s hear what he has to say.

Invite one of your children to read aloud Matthew 23:1–12.

You can watch the following video clip which goes beyond verse 12. It shows Jesus really going after the Pharisees and

calling them some nasty names.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRU8gGkxVNk

Say: Jesus tells the crowd to listen to what the scribes and Pharisees say because they are the teachers of the Mosaic

Law. But then Jesus offers a warning about their leadership. Ask a one of the children to read aloud the last sentence of

verse 3: “For they preach but they do not practice.”

Say: We are familiar with this saying, but we may not have known that it originated in the Bible. How do we phrase

Jesus’ teaching today? (Practice what you preach.)

Say: Jesus explains to the crowds that the Jewish leaders are so wrapped up in the privilege and honor that come with

their position that they neglect to exercise true leadership.

Ask: What does Jesus say are the traits of a good leader? (good example, service, humility)

Continue: And to whom does Jesus say that honor and glory belong? (to God alone)

Say: Let us conclude by praying silently for Church, political, business, educational, family, and youth leaders so that

they may see their leadership as a responsibility to serve.

Allow a few moments for silent prayer.

Then pray aloud together the Glory Be to the Father

Or watch "Why should I follow Jesus?" It is a fun video clip... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0eppMB7a7w

1111

November 2nd

Thursday

8:30 am School Mass in Church

9:30 to 11:00 am Women’s Faith Sharing- Kelly Conf. Rm.

7:15 to 8:45 pm Men’s Bible Study - ASA Rm. N-10

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Parent Meeting -ASA Library

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm Men’s Basketball in the ASA gym

November 3rd

Friday

8:30 am Mass in the Chapel

9:00 to 10:00 am - Eucharistic Adoration - Chapel. 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm - FREE Soup Supper - Brophy Center

November 4th

Saturday

1:30 – 4:00 pm - Confirmation Retreat with Fr. Tom

Cavera - Brophy Center and ASA Room S-3 3:00 pm Confessions 4:00 pm Mass

Ship of Hope Collection at all Masses

November 5th

Sunday

8:30 and 10:30 am Mass

Ship of Hope Collection at all Masses

Lord’s Lambs and CLOW during the 10:30 am Mass

St. Jude Volunteers at God's Kitchen

5:30 to 7:00 pm Rel. Ed. classes for children in grades 1-8

5:30 pm - Jacob, Part 1 - Brophy Center

November 6th

Monday 8:30 am Communion Service in the Chapel

9:00 am - Jacob, Part 1 - Brophy Center

9:00 to 11:00 am Mothers of Grace -Library/Youth Rm. 7:00- 8:30 pm - Living Your Strengths- Brophy behind walls

7:30 pm Women’s Bible Study - Thaddeus Ctr. Mtg. Room

November 7th

Tuesday

8:30 am Mass in the Chapel

7:30 - 8:45 pm Men of Emmaus - Millennium Conf. Room

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm Men’s Basketball in the ASA gym

November 8th

Wednesday

Mass 8:30 am in chapel

9:00 am to noon Sr. Men’s Club - Thaddeus Ctr. Mtg. Room

12:00 to 12:30 pm Devour - Youth Room 6:30- 8:45 pm Support Croup - Thaddeus Ctr. Mtg. Room

Sunday November 12 - 5:45 pm

1st Holy Communion & 1

st Reconciliation

Parent Meeting in the Brophy Center

For parents with children in the 1st through the 8

th grades

preparing for the Celebration of the Sacraments of First

Reconciliation & First Holy Communion, plan to attend this

important meeting. For more information please contact

Janet DeBoe at jdeboe@stjudes.net or call the parish office.

FREE Soup Supper on Friday - November 3

Your choice of (4) hot and delicious soups served

with rolls & butter, dessert and beverage. Best of all…

it’s FREE. Serving in the Brophy Center from 5:00 pm

to 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome!

Sue Wuorinen,

Evangelization & Youth

Coordinator

(616) 363-6885

Cell: (616) 560-8107

Email to:

swuorinen@stjudes.net

Go online to www.stjudes.net/thaddeus-society or contact Sue

Wuorinen at: (616) 363-6885, ext. 1166 or email

swuorinen@stjudes.net

Go online to www.stjudes.net/mothers-of-grace-calendar to

view the calendar of events or contact Sue Wuorinen at:

(616) 363-6885, ext. 1166 or email swuorinen@stjudes.net

55 PLUS LUNCHEON Wednesday, November 15

Social time at 11:30 am. Lunch served at Noon catered

by Billy K's Catering features turkey breast, pork loin,

stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied carrots and Fuji apple

salad. Entertainment by Steve Troyer - the "One Man

Band." Cost is $8.00 payable in advance by November

10 at the Parish Office (exact change only) or send check

or money order payable to Kathleen Roguszka 4695

Aldun Ridge NW # 106 Comstock Park, MI 49321.

St. Jude Women’s

ADVENT NIGHT

NOVEMBER 16 - 7:00 pm

All women are invited to our

annual Women’s Advent Night on November 16 at 7:00

pm in the Brophy Center. Musical entertainment will be

provided. Admission is one canned-good per person. Call

Kathie Sommer at (616) 260-2279 or the Parish Office to

reserve your table.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

for

November, 2017 Located inside Cathedral Square – Suite 2A

360 Division Ave South, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

The following is a partial list of events scheduled for August and September, 2017 at the Catholic Information Center

located in Cathedral Square on Division at Wealthy in downtown Grand Rapids.

For information, phone the CIC at (616) 459-7267. Register online: http://www.catholicinformationcenter.org/course-

registration

"Catholic Inquiry Class and Update"

Thursday, November 2, 6:30 pm-8:30pm

With Fred Johnson, and Fr. Chuck Cuniff CSP

CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267

This is an eleven week program designed for those who want to learn more about the Catholic faith and way of life. This

course is also offered to Catholics who wish to update or renew their faith.

"Glittering Vices"

Thursday, November 2, 7:00 pm-8:30pm

With Dr. Rebecca De Young

CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267

The contemporary culture seems to trivialize the "seven deadly sins" or vices as if they have no serious moral or spiritual

implications. Dr. De Young offers a practical understanding of how vices shape our culture and how to eliminate deeply

rooted patterns of sin. $10 donation is suggested.

"Catholic Inquiry Class and Update - Mornings"

Friday, November 3, 10:00 am to 11:45 am

With Fred Johnson, and Fr. Chuck Cuniff CSP

CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267

This is an eleven week program designed for those who want to learn more about the Catholic faith and way of life. This

course is also offered to Catholics who wish to update or renew their faith.

"Divorce Recovery & Support Group"

Wednesday, November 8, 7:30 pm-8:45pm

With Jim Kline

CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267

For all those who are divorced or who are on the way to becoming divorced. This support group is led by those who have

been through divorce themselves and offers a pathway to personal growth. $15 cost for the series.

"Catholic Inquiry Class and Update"

Thursday, November 9, 6:30 pm-8:30pm

With Fred Johnson, and Fr. Chuck Cuniff CSP

CIC| 360 Division S | Grand Rapids | |616-459-7267

This is an eleven week program designed for those who want to learn more about the Catholic faith and way of life. This

course is also offered to Catholics who wish to update or renew their faith.

Thursday, October 19, 6:30 pm-8:30pm

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 5 https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-

faith/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/31st-

sunday-in-ordinary-time-a-sunday-connection

Today’s Gospel continues to elaborate on

the tension between Jesus and the scribes

and Pharisees. Jesus now directs his words

to the crowds, warning them not to follow

the example of the scribes and Pharisees.

The scribes and Pharisees were teachers of

the Mosaic Law. They were entrusted with

its interpretation and, thus, were influential

in determining Jewish practice. In order to

appreciate the conflict that is evident in this

passage, we must understand that Jesus was

basing his teachings on the same laws and

traditions available to the Pharisees. Both

were interpreting the Law of Moses in

order to better adapt it to contemporary

Jewish life. The differences between their

teachings, therefore, are often highlighted

and amplified by Matthew.

This part of Matthew’s Gospel reflects

aspects of the conflict between his

Christian community and Pharisaic

Judaism. Matthew’s Church is thought to

have included many Jewish Christians who

may not have believed that a break with the

synagogue was necessary to be a follower

of Jesus. Jesus tells the crowd that it is

correct to do and observe what the scribes

and Pharisees teach; it is their example that

is to be avoided, namely, their love of

being honored and exalted. Hence, the

Gospel reflects the tension of an active

internal debate within the early Church.

Jesus references two aspects of Jewish

spiritual life prescribed by the Law of

Moses. Phylacteries are small boxes which

contain Scripture verses that are placed on

the left forearm and forehead. Tassels refer

to the fringes worn on the corners of a

person’s garments; the tassels help to

remind those who wear them to keep the

commandments.

The warning Jesus gives against seeking

places of honor in the community was

directed as much toward the Christian

community as the named Jewish leaders.

Indeed, it is a warning that resonates with

us today. Christian leadership is a call to

service for the glory of God; those who

would be leaders among us must, like

Jesus, be servants of all.

Read the Sunday Gospel…

Read the Gospel from your Bible, or go to USCCB.org for the readings:

Matthew 23:1-12 http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110517.cfm

Read the Gospel

Jesus warns against following the example of the scribes and the Pharisees and teaches that those who would be great must be servants. What is the message and how can you respond to it?

“Do as I say, not as I do.” How many of us have been tempted to say

this to our children? In today’s Gospel we hear a resounding reply from

Jesus, “Practice what you preach.” Those who know us best, our family

and especially our children, can identify the inconsistencies between

what we want to teach and the example that we give. The challenge for

all of us, especially for those of us who are parents, is to model with

consistency the faith and the Christian way of life we wish to teach our

children.

Apply that message to change your attitude or behavior.

As you gather as a family, talk about what it means to practice what you

preach. Identify some examples of people you know who practice what

they preach. What do you observe about these people? What do you

admire about them?

In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus talk about the importance of acting in

ways that are consistent with our faith. Read together today’s Gospel,

Matthew 23:1-12 Talk together about ways in which your family might

better practice the faith that you profess. Choose one action to take that

will show your faith in action. Pray together that your family’s faith will

be shown consistently in your actions. Pray the Prayer for Vocations.

Taken from: https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/31st-sunday-in-ordinary-time-a-sunday-connection

Did You Know…

...that Saint Mother Teresa lived a life of

service to the poorest of the poor in Calcutta,

India. Despite all her accomplishments, she

always worked with humility and genuine

spirit. Even when speaking to those in power,

she always spoke humbly and chose to see

Christ in everyone.

Examination of Conscience...

When I have received honors, accolades and recognition, how have I have I behaved toward others? How can I cultivate humility and compassion in my life? What can I do to integrate humility and compassion into my life? We would like to acknowledge the following publisher we have used with permission sections from its publication: Celebrating the Liturgy for Junior High Copyright, 2017 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All rights reserved. Orders 1-800-933-1800. Permission to publish granted by the Most Reverend Francis J. Kane, DD, Vicar General Archdiocese of Chicago, on February 6, 2017

Catholics, Lutherans look toward Christian

unity in Reformation statement

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/catholics-

lutherans-look-toward-christian-unity-in-reformation-

statement-83657

Vatican City, Oct 31, 2017 / 10:02 am (CNA/EWTN

News).- The Reformation anniversary gives us a renewed

impetus to work for reconciliation, said a statement

released jointly Tuesday by the Pontifical Council for

Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World

Federation.

“We recognize that while the past cannot be changed, its

influence upon us today can be transformed to become a

stimulus for growing communion, and a sign of hope for

the world to overcome division and fragmentation,” it said

Oct. 31.

“Again, it has become clear that what we have in common

is far more than that which still divides us.”

The statement was released to mark the end of the year of

common commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the

Reformation.

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is

the Roman Curia's office for ecumenism, while the

Lutheran World Federation is the largest communion of

Lutheran ecclesial communities. In the US, the Lutheran

World Federation includes the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America, but neither the Missouri nor

Wisconsin Synods.

The common commemoration was opened last year with

an ecumenical prayer service between Lutherans and

Catholics at the Lutheran cathedral in Lund, Sweden

during the Pope’s Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2016 visit.

During the service, Catholics and Lutherans read out five

joint ecumenical commitments, including the commitment

to always begin from a perspective of unity. Pope Francis

and Munib Younan, then-president of the Lutheran World

Federation and Lutheran bishop of Jordan and the Holy

Land, also signed a joint statement.

Pope Francis: In the Eucharist we receive the

grace to love https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-in-the-

eucharist-we-receive-the-grace-to-love-61924

Vatican City, Oct 29, 2017 / 07:14 am (CNA/EWTN

News).- On Sunday Pope Francis reflected on Jesus’

command to love God above all things, and your neighbor

as yourself, saying that it is in the Eucharist that we receive

the grace to carry this out.

“God, who is Love, has created us to make us part of his

life, to be loved and to love Him, and to love all other

people with Him. This is God's 'dream' for man. And in

order to accomplish it we need his grace, we need to

receive in us the ability to love that comes from God

himself.”

For this reason “Jesus offers himself to us in the

Eucharist...” the Pope said Oct. 29. “In it we receive his

Body and His Blood, that is, we receive Jesus in the best

expression of his love, when He has offered himself to the

Father for our salvation.”

Pope Francis reflected on Sunday’s “short, but very

important” Gospel passage from St. Matthew in his brief

message before leading the Angelus with around 30,000

people in St. Peter’s Square.

In the Gospel passage, a Pharisee asks Jesus what, among

the more than 600 Jewish laws, is the greatest. And Jesus,

not hesitating at all, answers: "Love the Lord your God

with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your

mind. And love your neighbor as yourself."

The Ten Commandments, which were communicated

directly to Moses by God, are a covenant with the people.

And in his answer, “Jesus wants to make it clear that

without love of God and neighbor there is no true fidelity

to this covenant with the Lord,” the Pope pointed out.

In answering this question, Jesus is trying to help the

Pharisees understand the proper order and importance of

things, and how all other laws depend on these two.