Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Most people are familiar with the ten commandments given by God to Moses. However, some Old Testament scholars say that there are really 613 commandments. So, the scribe’s question to Jesus, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”, is really an attempt to simplify matters.
According to Jesus, to love God above all else, is the most important commandment. The love of one’s neighbor is the second. Simple enough.
However, the evangelist John seems to reverse the order: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20).
Actually there is no contradiction. The love of God is the most important commandment. However, the genuineness of one’s love of God can be determined by one’s love of neighbor. It is a tough, but honest, test.
Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections