Matthew 22:34-40
Dear Friends, The leaders once again are trying to entrap Jesus. Today’s Gospel selection is the third of four conflict stories in chapter twenty two of Matthew. Each time Jesus turns the challenge around to give a deeper insight into his Gospel message. In fact, today’s lesson is about as close as we are going to get to a summary of the meaning of the Gospel.In His instruction about the twofold commandment of love of God and love of neighbor Jesus said, “The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Mt 22:40)
The unreserved and all-consuming love of God means that we are called to share and participate in God’s love for our neighbor. There is a basic and intrinsic bond between loving God and loving neighbor. This divine love is unconditional and without limit. We have many expressions of this love in Mathew’s Gospel but especially in the Sermon on the Mount. A very powerful example of this personal invitation to share God’s love for all is in the incredibly challenging section in Matthew 5: 21-48. There are a series of six “You have heard” statements about the law, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation and love of enemies. Each example offers a radical alternative of selfless love. The demands of this section of Matthew seem utterly impossible to our common sense approach to reality: “Whoever is angry with his brother (or sister) will be liable to judgment.” (Mt 5:21); “Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery.” (Mt 5:28); “When someone strikes you on the right cheek turn the other one to him as well.” (Mt 5:39); “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mt 5:44)
These teachings from the Sermon on the Mount shine out in the life of Jesus. These, and the rest of the Gospel message, are summarized in the two commandments of love of God and love of neighbor. The task of participating in God’s love is the work of a lifetime on the journey with Jesus. The summons of the Gospel is a gradual opening up to the awesome reality portrayed by Matthew where we read, “Lord, when did we see you… and the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen I say to you whatever you did for one of these least brothers (or sisters) of mine, you did it for me.” (Mt 25: 39-40.)
Love is the key to the law. In the end, when there is confusion about which way to interpret and follow the law, love is the answer. Jesus’ love commandment enlivens the entire law. In the discernment for direction, love will always open the most meaningful path forward. This is perfectly compatible with Matthew presenting Jesus as fulfilling the Law not replacing the Law. When it is wrapped in love, there is no inconsistency.
Our good friend St. Teresa of Avila states in the seventh mansion, the highest state of mystical union, the deepest state of love in our human condition: “Good works, my sisters, good works, good works!” In other words, at the highest and most purified expression of love in the transformed human heart, love of God and love of neighbor are totally one: service to our brothers and sisters.
This is our goal. The journey is long and arduous but it is possible when we take the next step, no matter how small, on the journey of love in the footsteps of Jesus!!
