The Greatest Commandment

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22: 34-40

Whew… I’m glad that I’ll get multiple stabs at this one.

First, love God with all of your heart, all your soul, and all of your mind.

Second, love your neighbor as yourself.

There is just so much here… so I’m going to talk about what first comes to mind.

The distinction between heart, soul and mind is really interesting. I see this as a commandment to love God with every fiber of my being.

You know how sometimes these different parts of us aren’t in agreement? Like for example your heart can tell you one thing but your mind is saying another.

(It’s a bit deeper then what R Kelly was talking about on Bump N’ Grind. “My miiiiind’s telling me nooooooooo…”)

And… we’re back.

Have you been in a situation with something or someone where you knew in your mind that you had to let it go, but your heart was still attached? Maybe it was a task or a person or a thing. Or perhaps it was an idea that you had about yourself.

I know that I have.

When our minds, hearts, and souls are not in harmony, it becomes easier to fall into a state of confusion. That level of profound inner confusion can be very disorienting. It’s the kind of thing that can make even the strongest person stop dead in their tracks or crumble altogether.

But when we are able to focus everything on God, mind, body and soul, it gives us the ability to grow and move and live freely. Because that’s what I believe God is: God is love. God is life, God is freedom.

It is this first commandment of focusing on God that enables me to abide by the second one.

When I focus on God I am constantly reminded that others too are connected to God and loved by God. So when I am faced with those folk who seem to be less than worthy of my love and forgiveness, I can seek out that reflection of God that I see when I look into their eyes and realize that it’s not about how “worthy” someone is.

It is then that I am reminded that my love for God means that I love that other person too, because God is with them just like He is with me.

Today’s Reading: Exodus 34-35: Matthew 22: 23-46