Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
Sometimes in life knowing what questions to ask makes all the difference. Take for example your question to the specialist doctor: “Is my condition life threatening?” Or to the local grocer: “Is this really fresh produce?” Or lastly, to the new car dealer: “How long is the warranty?” You get the idea.
Once upon a long-ago day, in a far-off country, a young Jewish scholar asked the equally young rabbi we know to be the Son of God a most interesting question: “Which is the first and greatest commandment?” We less than innocent readers of the Gospel want to know the answer also. After all, we must admit our sins against several commandments every time we go to confession.
Fortunately for that Scribe and us as well, he got his answer. So well-known is it that even non-believers are likely to have heard it. In loose translation it is “Love God with everything you’ve got.” But then Jesus quickly added an unexpected second command, the “flip side” of the First, if you will: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
That addition was a bit of a surprise to the unnamed Scribe. I can only imagine his facial expression when he heard it. Much of his life was dominated by the rules of obeying the Most High God. He could permit himself to ponder much abstract thinking. Arguments with others of his kind. “Neighbors” never figured into the discussion. Jesus changed all that for him.
But the whole matter comes right back at us as we read the gospel given to us ultimately by the Holy Spirit. Sure, we want to honor the God who made us with all our minds, hearts, souls and bodies. But what about that unsettling “Part 2” that Jesus proposes?
This “neighbor” designation doesn’t just apply to the residents next door to us, although that’s a good place to start. But what about the neighbor who doesn’t look like you, perhaps with a different skin color? The one who doesn’t speak English, or who eats from a different menu and smells as much? Or who favors a different candidate for office than you do? Do you mean to tell me that I must love him or her with the same fervor as I love myself? Yes, yes and yes again!
Of course, there are levels of love. Intimacy is not required. Love here means that we must will his or her good. But I must reach above and beyond a passing glance because Jesus inserted that little word “as” in His statement. “As” you love yourself. We all know the love we bear for the person who looks back at us in the mirror.
I think it’s fair to say that true Christianity is one of the toughest religions to practice on the planet. Indeed, “practice” becomes the watchword here because it takes a long time for most of us to acquire our right to the name. Fortunately, there are wonderful exceptions, whom we call “saints.” Some of them became such at a young age. Others lived in holiness over lives. We honored them all just last Friday on All Saints’ Day.
Buoyed by our Holy Communion with the Lord at Mass, we can live for the day when we will be among their number, “when the saints go marching in.”
Meanwhile, we can remember this about neighboring: “A good neighbor is one who will watch your vacation slides all evening without telling you that she has been there too.”
God love you and give you His peace.
Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary
Reading I: Deuteronomy 6: 2-6
Along with the call to “hear” comes the command to love God fully.
The great “Shema” (v.6-9) appears for the first time as Israel’s act of faith.
Reading II: Hebrews 7: 23-28
The priesthood of Jesus is not bound by time, for He is “higher than the heavens” and is perfect. Through Him we are united with God.
The Gospel: Mark 12: 28b-34
Jesus, prompted by a questioning Scribe, issues the great two-part Commandment. He forever equates love of God with love of neighbor.