Reflection on Scripture Thirtieth Sunday Gospel A

By 10:18 AM

Thirtieth Sunday Gospel Reflections Year A


When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them a scholar of the law tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

Last Sunday we reflected on one of the many times the leaders tested Jesus in order to trap him or discredit him. Here is another instance of the same. While the question was valid, the intent was not.
There were over 600 different laws that were proposed in living a life according to the covenant. The question deals with priority.

He said to him "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Love is the most fundamental law and command: love of God and love of others.
Jesus recognized the Jewish practice of reciting the Shema at least three times a day. "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might" (Deut 6:4-5). Jesus simplified it. The command reflects the first three commandments of the Decalogue and roots them in the context of love.
Then Jesus shows the importance of love of others, which is reflected in the last seven commandments of the Decalogue and again roots them in the context of love.
In what concrete ways do we live out the word of Jesus in our daily life?
It is easy to say we love everyone, but is our love sincere? Is it expressed in words or in deeds?
What can we do this week to reflect the teaching of Christ in our daily lives? Can we become conscious of doing all things in love?

About the Author

Jesus said that we are to go to the ends of the world, proclaiming the Gospel of Salvation. Our recent Holy Fathers have urged us to use the social media to accomplish this task. This is just one attempt to respond to both calls. Join me in this effort.

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