THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

A scholar of the law tested Jesus by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest? (Matthew 22:36)” This was a tricky question because there was a long standing debate among the Jews as to which commandment had the supreme importance. In the Old Testament, there are 613 commandments: 248 refer to the positive laws and 365 are the negative laws. The Ten Commandments could not cover all the moral duties of the Jews hence the scribes added more prescriptions and laws to fulfill the Covenant code established by God for His people. Jesus responded by quoting the Old Testament. “You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Mt 22:37-39)” He emphasized that the two greatest commandments are one and have similar weight. They are inseparable and complementary. They are like two sides of the same coin. Allegiance to God must be absolute. Our response to God must be total and not divided. To love truly, we must start at the eternal font of all generous love. These two commandments shape us according to the mind and heart of God. It is because we are created in His image and likeness. Our relationship with God must not be halfhearted. There is no middle ground, no neutrality. Or we are for Him or against Him. In the Book of Revelation, God said, “If you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth! (Revelation 3:16)” The second commandment calls us to recognize God’s image and likeness in our brothers and sisters. This is Agape love, a decision and choice to work for the well being of others. Is it possible for us to love God above all things? St. Paul says, “The love of God is poured into our hearts! (Romans 5:5)” This is the Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus. He revealed God’s extravagant, total and boundless love by dying on the Cross. God’s love for us is irreversible and everlasting. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. And only through God’s grace that real love is possible. We are called then to rely on God alone because our task is to make Him shine in our lives.