Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope (The Pope of Peace)
Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 107:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Matthew 22:34-40
Summary
The synoptic gospels -Matthew, Mark and Luke- each take a different approach to the encounter that answers the question: Which commandment in the law is the greatest?
In short:
Mark – A scribe saw how well he answered a previous question and asked… so as to go deeper… and Jesus told him he is close (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12?28=#49012028).
Luke – A scholar asked the adjacent question (what must I do for eternal life?)… so as to validate his understanding… and got the affirming answer (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?25=#50010025).
Matthew stands out as a proper confrontation. Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, and the Pharisees wanted their shot at it.
Its core isn’t Which commandment in the law is the greatest?
The core is Who is the greatest?
Reflection
Today is the Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope. He repeatedly had to deal with people that constantly evaluated life in terms of who is the greatest.
Several things stand out:
- He did not find comfortable the pomp and circumstance of the overly ornate papal dress (his opinion). He was a poor man in a rich man’s world.
- He encouraged Catholics to be politically involved in bringing the Greatest Commandment to the public forum and decision making, peace making.
- He rejected the government of France in their attempt to co-opt Church administration.
- He had the unfortunate fate of witnessing the beginning of World War I during his pontificate urging restraint and when asked to bless an army the Pope famously replied, “I do not bless arms, but peace.“
Too often we do not ask Jesus in order to be corrected or formed. Beneath our question hides another one: Who is greatest—me or him?
Who is the greatest? Me or him (whomever the ‘him’ is at the moment).
These are the dry bones of Ezekiel.
A people can shout about greatness while becoming dry bones—powerful in appearance, but emptied of the Spirit that gives life.
Rather we need to move beyond the ‘who’ to the which.
Everything we believe that is good (the law and prophets) depends on these two commandments. The commandment and activity of love.
Personal Reflection
In our secular society we hear over and over again these tropes.
- Who is the greatest!
- We are the greatest!
It is the voice of the dry bones.
Rather:
“Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost, and we are cut off.”
O my people!
I will put my spirit in you that you may live,… thus you shall know that I am the LORD.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082126.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry