Greetings on this the Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ez 37:1-14; Ps 107:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Mt 22:34-40
Resurrection
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him. Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?
The Sadducees denied the idea of eternal life and Jesus was able to disprove them by way of sacred scripture. The Pharisees were impressed. They gave him the most important question of all to see if he got the entirety of Pharisaic thinking (this word later in time gained a negative connotation but in our context it is the right word to describe the theological basis of thought). What is the greatest commandment?
On the question of Resurrection
- Jesus proved via scripture the answer in a plain reading (the plain sense in Jewish theological speak – The Burning Bush – Ex 3:6).
- Later, Jesus proved via his personal Resurrection the answer in a plain sight.
On the question of Love
- Jesus proved via scripture the answer in a plain reading (the plain sense in Jewish theological speak – The Great Commandment – Duet 6:5).
- Later, Jesus proved via his personal Crucifixion the answer in a plain sight.
Summary
Why love?
We may start with what is love. The generally-accepted definition is to place the well-being of the Other of yourself at the same or higher importance than your own life.
We accept in Philosophy and in theology that self-sacrifice is the quintessential expression of love (in its many manifestations but especially Crucifixion). Consider this writing (NOT by Pope Francis)
We know that trees do not eat their own fruits
cows do not drink their own milk
rivers don't drink their own water
Let us also learn to serve our sisters brothers
and all objects of nature
To secure our present and humanity's future
Reflection
When we choose to love we are invoking the very love imprinted within us at our conception. The Author of Love is the source of all love and the architect of our personal expression of love. We choose to use, do and express in our individual ways the very love we were given first as gift and then share as a gift.
Personal Reflection
Love then is the highest form of ourselves. It is in the image and likeness of God. St. Augustine’s phrase captures it “love God and do what you want” and it is its own result.
Sacred Readings
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082324.cfm
First Reading
- O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them.
- O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live.
Responsorial
Give thanks to the Lord; his love is everlasting.
Gospel Acclamation
Teach me your paths, my God, guide me in your truth.
Gospel
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 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.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
This is beautiful, Deacon G. Thank you for sharing! ☀️
Thank you, Lisa! Glory to God in the highest!