The Greatest Commandment
Mk 12:28-34
28One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well [Jesus] had answered [the Sadducees], asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” 29Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ 33And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34And when Jesus saw that [he] answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Reflection:
THE FIRST OF ALL THE COMMANDMENTS.
Jesus summarizes all the commandments in one word: love—love of God and
love of neighbor as oneself. The two commandments are interrelated. The
love of God is made known and visible in our love of neighbor. The
proof of our love for God is our love of neighbor.
If we truly love God, we can accept our
neighbor who has betrayed us and spread malicious lies against us,
trust anyone who has failed us and fallen short of our expectations,
and be sensitive to the urgent needs of our fellow men and women. We
will forgive our neighbors who have wronged us. How can we say we love
God whom we cannot see if we cannot love our neighbors whom we can see?
(cf 1 Jn 4:20).
To love our neighbors is to willingly
be of service, to understand them, and to forgive them. We love our
neighbors the way God loves them. We love them the way God loves us.
How much do I love God?
How about my family and neighbors?
How about my family and neighbors?
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