Greetings, SBT Readers!

"You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt." Ex 22:20. If we believe that God's Word is Truth, or that the Word teaches, guides and inspires, then our first reading demands attention. And if we happen to believe that "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (Jn 1:1), then discounting the biblical mandate to love the most vulnerable among us is tantamount to rejecting God.

Sadly, in every place and in every age, those who hold power have oppressed, enslaved, and even exterminated those perceived to be "outsiders." In some cases, the "aliens" have been the majority population, as for example, during apartheid in South Africa; in others, colonial powers kidnapped or traded humans to use their labor for economic gain; while in others, governments have turned public opinion against various racial, ethnic or cultural groups to distract attention from unpopular policies or corrupt practices. Perhaps most heinous of all is when indigenous populations were stripped of their land, resources and customs; ironically, those to whom the land originally belonged ended up being confined on reservations...

While the oppression of "aliens" has left a bloody mark on the history of the world, the same cruel strategies of exclusion and exploitation continue into our own time. Far from enacting policies of love to protect the vulnerable, far-right governments undermine the very programs that once made their lives sustainable. As in the past, the playbook is the same: first, demonize the "aliens"; then, find ways of making them disappear. And, as in the past, the God of Justice promises, "If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry" (Ex 22:23).

Many Blessings,

Elizabeth

www.elizabeth-annestewart.com

SUNDAY BIBLETALK IS GOING ON SABBATICAL!

Yes, it's true! For the first time since I began writing weekly scripture reflections in 1980, I'm taking a "holy pause" for three weeks while visiting my family in Malta. There will be no SBT on November 1st, 8th, and 15th, but SBT should be back in print on November 22nd, barring the unexpected!

P.S. You can view past issues of SBT (2026-2018) on my website:

https://www.elizabeth-annestewart.com/sunday-bibletalk

LINK TO SCRIPTURE READINGS

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. One of them,

a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" 

Jesus replied,

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,

with all your soul, and with all your mind.

This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Matthew 22:34-40

Three Entrapments v. Three Temptations in the Desert

In Matthew 22, the evangelist presents three situations in which the religious authorities attack Jesus. First, the Pharisees try to entrap him with their question about paying taxes to Caesar; then the Sadducees come up with the scenario of the woman who was widowed seven times, wanting Jesus to explain whose wife she will be at the Resurrection since her husbands were all brothers. Finally, the Pharisees send a scribe to test his knowledge of the Law. As in the case of the three temptations in the desert, before the beginning of the Galilean ministry (Matt 4), Jesus responds to each test by affirming the supremacy of God; and just as he rebukes Satan (Matt 4:10), so he denounces the scribes and Pharisees as "blind guides" and hypocrites, urging the crowds to observe them, but not follow their example (Matt 23).

Matthew's Jesus is Under Attack from the Moment of his Conception.

Mary is "found to be with child"; Joseph decides to divorce her until a dream reveals the Divine parentage of the Child; then, after the Birth, Herod plots to exterminate him but is foiled by angelic intervention. Once Jesus begins his public ministry, the opposition from the religious authorities grows. His opponents question everything from his healing on the Sabbath to his casting out of demons. In every situation, Jesus points to God as the source of his power, citing scripture to support his actions and his teachings. Ultimately, the negative naming and accusations lead to his arrest, Passion, and Crucifixion; he is faithful and obedient to the end.

The Law of Love

The twin commandments of love of God and neighbor are not only foundational to the Law and to the teachings of the prophets, but they represent all that Jesus stands for. His message is Love, for Love, by Love, through Love; he points to Love Itself, the Being of God, and he himself is Love. Why, then, does he attract so much hatred and opposition, especially from the religious leaders of his time? Why is Love crucified?

Love is a verb, not just a noun. It is not static; it is constantly in motion, transforming minds, opening hearts, unclenching tightened fists, unlocking forgiveness and mercy... It is not sentimental like the words on a greeting card, nor is it trite like the lyrics of a cheesy ballad. On the contrary, Love has the power to topple walls and bring down fences, to expose lies and challenge corruption, to seek justice and to overturn oppressive systems, to end wars and restore peace, to welcome the stranger and provide resources for the needy...

In every age, Love directly challenges the status quo; and in every age, those who worship power, wealth, and influence will do their best to protect their domain, even if it means murdering Love in the process!

+++