The Whole Law

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:

Exodus 22:20-26
Psalm 18:2-4.47,51
1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Matthew 22:34-40


A reflection on today's Scripture:

"The Whole of the Law and the Prophets Depends Upon These Two Commandments."

One of the Pharisees asks the Lord a question. There is no doubt but that the Pharisee knew the answer--his answer is an integral part of the daily prayer of the Jewish people. It comes from Deuteronomy and it is called the Sh'ma Yisrael. And it expresses one of the most powerful truths of our faith:

Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is One -- Love Him with all you heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Jesus faces the Pharisee with one of the most important realities our faith has to offer. It is in loving God that we are made whole. It is in loving God that we come to the knowledge of the fullness of our redemption. It is in loving God--loving Him profoundly, deeply, more than anything else in life--that life is placed into perspective. Jesus--Love incarnate--lights the way to Love the Father, and when we do so in all reverence and propriety, we are made complete--we become real
people, joyful, trusting servants of the all-powerful creator of the universe.

Let us seize the opportunity offered today to open our hearts to the light of love. In opening we begin to love and we begin to show to all the world the power of a God who does not just lead His people, but who loves each and every one of them.

- JuandelaCruz TOC