"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
Matthew 22:36
The Pharisees were always looking for a way to entangle Jesus in His speech. In today's Gospel, one of them, a lawyer, tests Jesus by asking Him, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Now, this lawyer knows the law very well in his head, but not in his heart. Jesus, on the other hand, also knows the law and has deeply internalized it within Himself; this is what the Pharisees lack. Jesus answered him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
The Lord's answer comes from a summary of Israel's consecration to God, which they called "the Great Commandment" or the "Hear Israel" (Deut. 6:4-7); it was all about putting God first. However, Jesus takes this Great Commandment a step further when He commands the love of neighbor. He does this because love of neighbor is the outward proof that the inner love for God is real. The law finds its fulfillment in this twofold love because the whole law and prophets find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ who is love and mercy itself.
Do I understand that my love for God is only as real as the mercy and love I show my neighbor through my deeds, words, and prayers?
Eternal Father, please give us the grace to always show mercy to our neighbors through our deeds, words, and prayers so as to always love You above all.
Today's reflection was written by...
Mark DeSio
Did you know...
Mark DeSio is a seminarian for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg who will be entering St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in the Fall. He comes from a large Catholic family and enjoys every sport, especially skateboarding and basketball. Mark wants to share the Lord's love and mercy with everyone he encounters. His home parish is Blessed Sacrament in Seminole.
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