The readings for this week invite us to consider how to live as followers of Jesus in our communities and in our world.
In the First Reading, God speaks to the people of Israel about how they should treat the oppressed and down-trodden, in order to please God.
The Psalm reminds us that we can only live the lives that God wants by relying on him: he is our rock, our strength, our saviour, our mighty help.
St Paul writes to the Thessalonians that we should all be imitators of the Lord, in the joy of the Holy Spirit (Second Reading).
In the Gospel, Jesus asks us to express the love of God that fills our hearts, our souls and our minds, by treating others as we would want to be treated ourselves. We find in others the image of the God who is love.
This week, we pray for and with our sisters and brothers in so many parts of the world who yearn for peace and justice. We ask especially that God will help us to grow in love of him and of one another, and that we might more and more recognise Christ Jesus in our midst, especially in those who are suffering.
