Christian Art | Jesus And Pharisees | Greatest Commandment | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
Matthew 22: 34-40 – Week 30 Sunday Year A, also Week 20 Ordinary Time, Friday (King James Audio Bible KJV, King James Version, Spoken Word)
34 ¶ But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
In Jerusalem, Jesus teaches in the Temple and is tested by the Sadducees and the Pharisees. These are tests concerning Scripture, concerning the Law, and concerning Jesus’ identity, i.e. concerning Jesus being God the Son.
Jesus’ response to the tests flows from two sources especially: from Jesus’ perfect knowledge of Scripture, and from Jesus’ true identity as God the Son incarnate. Ultimately, Jesus’ knowledge of Scripture, and freedom perfectly to interpret Scripture, flows from his true identity as God the Son.
To the Jewish people, this is astonishing. To the Pharisees and the Sadducees it is a blasphemous offence. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote in Jesus of Nazareth, this remains a key point of difference between Christians and Jews, howsoever Christians and Jews can respect each other absolutely. Christ’s words, his teachings, are also an action, which is a claim. This is a claim to what we know as Christian truth, that Jesus Christ is indeed God the Son.
The question, ‘Which is the greatest commandment?’ could potentially launch Jesus into a minefield. Never mind the Decalogue, we find hundreds of rules, commandments, as specified in the Pentateuch, with which the Pharisees had tangled themselves in knots, although we note that both David and the prophets had significantly reduced this number: David lists eleven (Ps 15: 2-5 – see below), Isaiah six (Is 33: 15), Micah three (Mi 6: 8), Amos two (Am 5: 4) and Habakkuk only one (Hab 2: 4).
Jesus’ response to what is really a challenge – and a temptation – is to return to the Decalogue and to express the essence of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments express two axes upon which love must thrive, in terms of our relationship with God, and in terms of our relationships with our fellow human beings. Our love of God is transcendent, and moves beyond this life. Now, though, these two directions in which our love travels complete one another. We live in loving brotherhood in relationship with one another and with God, when to love another person is to see the face of God, and as our love of God directs us to love our fellow human beings, all of whom are properly our neighbours – our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
There can be no objection made by the Pharisees to Jesus’ response to their challenge. Jesus continues to proclaim the Law which was given to Moses. There is a wonderful movement happening here, as Jesus displays perfect conformity with the Law, and as at the same time Jesus’ being the Law – Jesus’ being the Torah, Jesus’ being the new Moses, Jesus’ being the Son of God – becomes increasingly evident. The cross is not far off now. Jesus is preparing to mount his throne.
Soon Jesus will turn the tables and accuse, in the Temple, the scribes and the Pharisees – hypocrites. From the accusation will flow the Eschatological Discourse, in which Jesus speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the coming of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ perfect responses to these tests lead toward greater and future truths. And then there will be the cross, upon which Jesus is perfectly centred as the new Law – the truth of God. The Pharisees and the Sadducees both know in their hearts that this new truth is coming, as they resist this knowledge.
Concluding Prayer | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. (Psalm 15)
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
Love Thy Neighbour As Thyself
It is a call to love not only those who are like us, but also those who are different from us, including our enemies. It is a call to put the needs of others before our own, and to treat others as we would like to be treated.
Saint Augustine wrote that love of neighbor is an essential component of love of God. He said, ‘We cannot truly love God if we do not love our neighbor. For the commandment to love God is inseparable from the commandment to love our neighbor’ (On Christian Doctrine, Book 1, Chapter 30).
Similarly, Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote that love of neighbor is an expression of the love of God. He said: ‘The love of God is the cause of the love of neighbor. And since the love of God is infinite, it is fitting that it should extend to all creatures, and so the love of neighbor is also infinite.’ (Summa Theologica, Part II, Question 25, Article 12)
In the Protestant tradition, Martin Luther emphasized the importance of the commandment to love one’s neighbor. He said: ‘The whole law and all the prophets hang on these two commandments: love God and love your neighbor. The law is given for the sake of love, and love fulfills the law.’ (Commentary On Galatians)
John Calvin also emphasized the importance of the commandment to love one’s neighbor. He said: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. This is the summary of the whole law. For if we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will not do him any harm but will rather do good to him, and we will not steal from him, or bear false witness against him, or covet what belongs to him.’ (Institutes Of The Christian Religion, Book 2, Chapter 8, Section 49)
Pope Francis has said: ‘Love of neighbor is the concrete expression of love of God’ (Homily, March 18, 2013). He has also called on people to ‘work for a culture of encounter, a culture of solidarity and a culture of life’ (Angelus, September 1, 2013).
In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis called for a renewed sense of love and care for our global neighbors and the natural world: “All of us are linked by unseen bonds and together form a kind of universal family, a sublime communion which fills us with a sacred, affectionate and humble respect. We cannot be indifferent to suffering; we cannot allow anyone to go hungry.”
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
Psalm 48 is a tribute to the city of God – Mount Zion. This psalm extols the greatness of the Lord and splendour of the holy city, portraying Zion as a place of refuge and rejoicing. The psalm underscores the enduring nature of God’s protection and guidance [ … ]
The publicans (tax collectors) and other sinners are drawn to hear Jesus’ teaching. Perhaps they feel Jesus offers hope to them especially. While the scribes and Pharisees, despising sinners, find Jesus behaviour as he mixes with such people to be utterly objectionable, Jesus receives all humanity with love, understanding and, where there is faith and repentance, forgiveness. It is as if the people know that they are not condemned but can be accepted by Jesus. He offers them hope [ … ]
