Two Great Commandments

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?"  Jesus replied, "The first is this:  Hear, O Israel!  The Lord our God is Lord alone!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these."  The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.  You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he.  And 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."  And 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.  (Mark 12: 28 – 34)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reaffirms the two great commandments – love of God and love of neighbor.  These are the two that we need to live to the best of our ability.  If we do this then we are doing what God has asked us.  Jesus makes it clear in these commandments that love is greater than sacrifice.  Let our love be great in these days where our world is suffering greatly.

Pat Schifini, OSU