Today’s Gospel challenges us to think about what is important in our lives and especially about our relationship with God. Is our lifestyle orientated towards our relationship with God, how does it impact on our family life, our prayer life or our social life? On what do we base our values?
Jesus is in Jerusalem being questioned by the scribes and the Jewish authorities. The question posed by the scribe in today’s Gospel is not meant as a test but it is healthy dialogue with Jesus. The scribe was asking Jesus to interpret the Law of Moses. “Which is the first of all the commandments?” he asks (meaning which is the most important). Jesus in his answer links the Shema with the command to love one’s neighbour. Shema in Hebrew means “hear” it is a very important prayer in Judaism which is recited twice daily. It is found in Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear Israel, the Lord (is) our God; the Lord is one. You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The Mosaic Law consists of the Ten Commandments and many other commandments (613), adherence to these Laws is an expression of faithfulness to God’s covenant with Israel. The importance of these Laws was a topic of discussion among the teachers of the Law in the time of Jesus. The first or most important commandment Jesus said is to love God with all your being, it is a commitment and a faithful allegiance to God. The second is “You will love your neighbour as yourself.” Here Jesus is quoting Leviticus 19:18 it is part of the Holiness Codes.
Jesus’ answer connected two commandments, love of God and love of neighbour. The scribe was pleased with the answer and said obedience to these two commandments meant more than “any burnt offering or sacrifice” in the Temple. “You are not far from the Kingdom of God” Jesus replied. Indicating that the scribe was ready to hear the Good News and become a follower. Jesus’ answer is known as the “Great Commandment” in Christianity, and is a lens through which we can view the Ten Commandments. The first three commandments fulfil love of God. The last seven fulfil love of neighbour. St. Paul says in his Letter to the Romans that love for our neighbour is the fulfilment of the Law (Rom 13: 9-10). To be able to carry out this “Great Commandment” is not easy, to love God with our whole selves requires God’s help, and an openness to the Holy Spirit.
Today is Bible Sunday, we celebrate God’s Word which is alive and is a good way for us to acknowledge God’s love and presence in our lives. Jesus in today’s Gospel teaches the importance of the Old Testament Scriptures. St. Augustine famously said that the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament, and the New Testament is concealed in the Old Testament. Do we truly accept the whole Bible as the inspired Word of God, something to base our values on?
Coming soon.