WHAT SHALL WE ANSWER?

Adeladius Makwega — DODOMA

Today is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A of the Church’s Liturgical Year. In today’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the connection between loving God and loving our neighbors.

A Pharisee asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest of all.

We know, and have even memorized, Jesus’ response:

“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 commandment is like it:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus then adds:

“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

This teaching reminds us, brothers and sisters, that these commandments cannot be separated.

Our love for God must also be expressed through our love for our neighbors. No one can claim to love God while showing little concern for, or discriminating against, the people around them, especially those in need.

Let us pray for the grace to love God sincerely, so that this love may be expressed and bear fruit in our love for our neighbors.

Love is the wellspring and the summit of life.

Amen.

These are words from the introduction to a Sunday reflection by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who serves as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization of the Catholic Church worldwide, headquartered at the Vatican.

This Is What Happened at Church

On this Sunday, October 25, 2026, Mwanakwetu woke up at his home at 5:47 a.m. and began his journey to attend Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Chamwino Ikulu Parish, within the Archdiocese of Dodoma.

Along the way, Mwanakwetu met a woman who attends the same church as he does. They greeted each other and continued their journey to church.

The woman asked Mwanakwetu:

“Are you attending the first or the second Mass today?”

Mwanakwetu replied:

“I will attend the first Mass. What about you?”

The woman explained that, on that Sunday, their parish branch of the Tanzania Catholic Women’s Organization was scheduled to serve during Mass. She had therefore been assigned duties at the second Mass, which began at 7:00 a.m.

As they continued walking, the woman made a phone call and spoke briefly in the Kigogo language:

“Yes, I am on my way to church. I am here along the road, on this side. Come…”

They continued walking. The woman was moving slowly, while Mwanakwetu was walking at a faster pace. During their conversation, the woman shared the following:

“On Wednesday, a priest came to celebrate the harvest Mass for us. We were few in number; I know you were at work. The choir members helped to strengthen the celebration.

What touched me about that Mass was that the priest who came to celebrate it was the same priest who administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to my son after he had been involved in an accident.

That day, I was deeply hurt because I had approached the first priest, but he refused, saying that they do not provide that kind of assistance.

So, Makwega, that Mass brought me great comfort, even though my son is still struggling through his treatment.

I had expected the priest to help me, but nothing came of it! My son received assistance from his former schoolmates through social media groups. The priest refused to help me in any way.

My son underwent surgery on his head. Part of his skull was removed and stored in his abdomen. At the moment, one eye can see, but the other still has a problem.

We are continuing to raise money. If we can get 1,500,000 Tanzanian shillings, he will undergo surgery on the other eye. After that, the part of his skull that was removed and stored in his abdomen can be returned to his head.

Come on, Makwega, go to church. I will wait for my colleagues who are serving at the second Mass.”

Mwanakwetu arrived at church on time and participated in the Mass. The celebration was led by Father Robert Visent Mgawe from the Diocese of Sumbawanga, who had come to Chamwino Ikulu to visit and greet his father.

What Does Mwanakwetu Have to Say Today?

In the introduction to this Sunday’s reflection, Cardinal Tagle says:

“Our love for God must also be expressed through our love for our neighbors. No one can claim to love God while showing little concern for, or discriminating against, the people around them, especially those in need.”

Through this woman’s story, Mwanakwetu has received an important message to reflect upon.

At the end of the day, the Lord Jesus may ask us:

“Mwanakwetu, that woman told you that her son needed one million five hundred thousand shillings for surgery. What did you contribute to help him?”

The neighbors of this woman, whether members of her Small Christian Community or the wider community, may also ask themselves: What did we contribute to help this young man?

Church leaders, too, should reflect on their responsibility to care for and assist believers in need. Priests, each according to their role and responsibilities, should also ask themselves: Are we fulfilling our pastoral duties toward the people we serve?

Likewise, government leaders and elected representatives may ask themselves: What have we done to ensure that citizens receive quality healthcare services? Why should this young man continue to suffer while his family struggles to raise money for the medical treatment and surgery he needs?

These are just some of the many questions raised by this Sunday’s Gospel when we connect it to the story of the woman who met Mwanakwetu.

The central message is that love for God should not remain confined to words, prayers, and worship alone. That love must be visible in our actions, especially when we encounter people who are suffering and in need of our help.

We may not be able to solve all our neighbors’ problems, but each of us can do something according to our ability. Some can contribute money, others can offer comfort, others can help seek medical treatment, and still others can use their positions to ensure that those in need receive appropriate assistance.