Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (22: 34-40) in which an expert in the law, tested Jesus with this question: “Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?”.
Fr Paul says because we are so familiar with Jesus’ answer to the question about the greatest commandment it blunts our awareness of just how direct his response is. Often, The Golden Rule, existing in many cultures, is: ‘Do not do to another what you would not have done to you’. In reality, this is basically selfish; it protects my own interests. By contrast, Jesus’ answer in this Gospel slams home, turning away from ourselves to God. Jesus also uses the word ‘Love’, not ‘obey’ or ‘adore’ or ‘fear’ or ‘reverence’. It is love. Love is not the warmth of companionship but is the willing generosity that we display to others like a mother to helpless young child; maybe a daughter to helpless old parent; maybe a husband to a paralysed wife; love, here, is seeking no reward but the happiness of the person who receives it. For our reflection today, Fr Paul says, when we love others like Jesus did, we are like God.
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