October 31, 2021: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

How delightful that we celebrate the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time on October 31.

The Mosaic Law prescribed sacrifices for the people of Israel, put it points to a higher reality, when Moses, the first reading from Deuteronomy, tells the people to love the Lord with all that they are.

Jesus underscores this commandment, and ties it with the command to love one's neighbor, as the greatest commandment, transcending the sacrifices and offerings so that the people are filled with love.

Jesus showed this love as our Great High Priest, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to restore us to right relationship with God.

Having show us such great Love, which makes God present, we now live in that love and so offer ourselves to loving others.  Furthermore, we broaden our understanding of who our neighbors are to include all those whom we encounter, beyond just those we relate to the most.  Giving of ourselves to broadly truly manifests God's love.

A great example of someone who poured himself out in the spirit of God's love is Blessed Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, who was beatified one year ago this day.  The Knights continue his mission as they give of themselves in service to building up strong families, strong parishes, and strong communities.