Catechism Links[1]
CCC 2052-2074: The Ten Commandments interpreted through twofold love
CCC 2061-2063: Moral life a response to the Lord’s initiative of love
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| “Holy Trinity“ by Hendrick van Balen, 1620s |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Exodus 22:20-26
Commentary on Ex 22:20-26
This passage is taken from what is called “The Book of the Covenant” (see Exodus 24:7). This part of the “book” contains social laws dealing specifically with interaction of the faithful with aliens (residents living in the same region but of Gentile status). While the general rule was that the Israelites were to remain separate (segregated) from these populations, the covenant law clearly states that there should be peaceful cohabitation, reminding them that they too were once aliens in Egypt. The covenant goes on to cover treatment of widows and orphans, and the need for compassion when conducting business within the community of faith.
CCC: Ex 22:20-22 1867
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
R. (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.
Commentary on Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
Psalm 18 is a song of thanksgiving for a military victory. The psalmist, in these strophes, rejoices in God’s saving power. The theme of the “rock” is a reference to the solid nature of the faith foundation. The strophes in this selection sound like a love song to God as David thanks the Lord for his inheritance.
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Reading II: 1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10
Commentary on 1 Thes 1:5c-10
Following his introduction, identifying himself and praising the faithful of Thessalonika, St. Paul reminds his flock of how they were before he came to them, and before they became believers (“…a model for all the believers”). The apostle fairly rejoices over the success the lived Gospel has had, turning them away from idols to serve the one true God and his Son. This faith has spread as a result, not only of his teaching, but their example as well.
CCC: 1 Thes 1:10 442
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Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40
Commentary on Mt 22:34-40
The story of Jesus delivering the Great Commandment is the fourth of the “Controversy Stories” in St. Matthew’s Gospel (stories in which Jesus argues with the Jewish leadership). Jesus has just refuted those Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection (v. 23-33) and now is challenged by the Pharisees. The question posed by the “scholar of the law” (probably a scribe; see also Luke 10:25-28) “…which commandment in the law is the greatest?” is asked in a rabbinical sense, meaning which of the 613 distinct statutes was considered greatest. Within this body of law, 248 of these precepts were positive and 365 were prohibitions. In addition these precepts were further divided into “Light” and “Heavy.” This was a fairly typical type of exchange for a rabbinical debate.
In answering, Jesus quotes two texts of the law that now form the foundation for a new morality in the Gospel. He first quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 “Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” This text forms part of the Shema, the Jewish profession of faith. This first quote would not be surprising. What makes this exchange novel and important is that Jesus adds the quote from Leviticus 19:18b “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This juxtaposition of quotes makes them equally “Heavy” and there is no parallel In Jewish literature.
CCC: Mat 22:23-34 575; Mat 22:34-36 581; Mat 22:36 2055; Mat 22:37-40 2055; Mat 22:37 2083; Mat 22:40 1824
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Reflection:
The Great Commandment, as Jesus tells us, provides a foundational morality by which we can evaluate all of our thoughts and actions. We are given two absolutes by which to conduct our self-evaluation.
Let’s think of an example to see how we might apply this foundational belief. Let’s say, for instance, we are at work and we have just completed a difficult task. As is customary, the entire team gets together and celebrates that event. Your boss calls you up and congratulates you specifically for your hard work, and you notice that one of your co-workers is obviously not thrilled with the attention you are getting (probably thinking they worked as hard as you did).
In this situation how do we live the Great Commandment? First, on the inside, we must hold our success up to God. It was only through his gifts that we accomplish anything worthwhile. If we do this sincerely, our attitude in success must necessarily be one of humility. After all, it was not through our effort alone that this task was accomplished, and it was certainly not in our control to make it successful. In addition to being constantly thankful to God, our praise at times of joy is the hallmark of the Christian living the Great Commandment.
Next we must deal with our disgruntled co-worker. We are called to “love our neighbor as our self." How do we do that in this situation? If we are quick, we might ask to share the accolade in the moment. Perhaps, in keeping with our humility before the Lord, we invite that person to join us “up front” or at least acknowledge, in sincerity, that what was done was a team effort, pointing out other members of the team. Praising our neighbor is on the same level of need as praising God. Jesus made it so with his pronouncement.
We see from this example how difficult and complex living the Great Commandment can be. We must constantly keep God (and Christ) in the fore as we go about our daily lives. When we encounter others, the Lord invites us to see in them the God-given spirit they possess and pay them the same respect.
Love the Lord – that is so hard for our selfish hearts. It is so easy to forget him completely and focus only on our own petty needs and problems. Today our prayer must be that we find in our hearts the love of God and are able to live that love, along with love of neighbor, well and fully.
Pax
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] The picture used today is, “Holy Trinity“ by Hendrick van Balen, 1620s
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