The Greatest Commandment

Today's Reflections

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. Asked about the first or greatest of all commandments, Jesus gives two that are in turn summarized in just one word: love. He cites Deuteronomy (6:4-5) and Leviticus (19:18) but makes it clear that the two precepts make one great commandment of love. The love of God is connected, even identified, with the love of neighbor. Our love of God is made known and visible through our love of neighbor. The proof of our love of God is our love of neighbor.

If we truly love God, then we can forgive the neighbor who betrayed us and spread malicious lies about us. If we love God, we can continue to trust one who failed us and fell short of our expectations. If we love God, we will be sensitive to the urgent needs of our fellow men and women, especially the needy. As John puts it, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4:20).

“This is how all will know that you are my disciples,if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35)