DECEMBER 8 - DAY 10Matthew 22:34-46
Ray Pendleton
The Right Answer
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matt. 22:37-40
Walking in the truth of the Gospel is the key to having the right answer at the right time. In our passage for today, Jesus is responding to what was probably a hostile and difficult question. However, the Lord of Glory who was in constant communion with the Father has no problem in setting the record straight. There is a great commandment in the law. In fact, it is in the minds of the questioners, but it has not penetrated to their hearts.
Jesus quotes a significant portion of the Shema as Matthew records His words. The greatest commandment is a total, sold out, complete commitment to the love of God. But the answer does not stop there. If we love God with all of our heart, soul and mind, that will lead to a transformed life where we will love our neighbor as we have been loved by God.
This is not cognitive awareness alone but it is also an interpersonal strength that manifests itself in our deep concern for others who are created in the image of God and who need to understand his deep compassion for them, often through our loving outreach. St. Francis is said to have pronounced, "Wherever you go, preach the gospel. If necessary use words.”
Jesus quotes a significant portion of the Shema as Matthew records His words. The greatest commandment is a total, sold out, complete commitment to the love of God. But the answer does not stop there. If we love God with all of our heart, soul and mind, that will lead to a transformed life where we will love our neighbor as we have been loved by God.
This is not cognitive awareness alone but it is also an interpersonal strength that manifests itself in our deep concern for others who are created in the image of God and who need to understand his deep compassion for them, often through our loving outreach. St. Francis is said to have pronounced, "Wherever you go, preach the gospel. If necessary use words.”
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