Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Which commandment in the law is the greatest?” (Mt 22:36). That is the question. You see, the Torah presented 613 laws to people. But this presented some unique issues for the observant Jew. How could anyone keep track of these laws on a daily basis? Are some laws more important than others?
My homily today answers these questions, especially, Jesus' answer to the scholar of the law in today's gospel reading, and draws some practical implications.
Mortal and Venial Sins
The religious leaders of the time proposed a couple answers to these questions. One of the answers was to make a distinction between the more serious commandments (Ten Commandments) and the less serious one (such as the ‘law of the birds’ nest’). For example, Deut 22:6-7 says: “If, while walking along, you come across a bird’s nest with young birds or eggs in it, in any tree or on the ground, and the mother bird is sitting on them, you shall not take away the mother bird along with her brood. You must let the mother go, taking only her brood, in order that you shall prosper and have a long life.” Clearly the ‘law of the birds’ nest’ fades in comparison to, “Thou shalt not kill!” And then there were other laws that were not part of the Ten Commandments yet were considered more serious than the law of the birds’ nest. In today’s first reading, for example, we heard laws that governed relationship with foreigners, widows, orphans, and the poor (Ex 20: 22-26). The consequences for violating these laws were serious.
The distinction between the more serious and less serious laws is similar to the Catholic distinction between mortal and venial sins.Whereas this distinction was helpful, it did not resolve the problem fully. The issue still remained that the more serious commandments and the lighter ones were to be observed with the same seriousness. Also, the reward for observing all the laws was the same.
Summary Statements
There was yet another solution. It lay in summary statements by prominent scholars. For example, Hillel – the renowned Jewish scholar and sage – gave this summary statement: “What is hateful to you do not to your neighbor; that is the whole Torah, while the rest is commentary on it; go and learn.”
Perhaps we now better understand Jesus’ answer to question, “Which commandment is the greatest?” Just like the great figures in Jewish history, Jesus was providing a summary statement. Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments" (Mt 22:37-14).
Jesus’ summary statement brought love of God and love of neighbour to the forefront. But Jesus was different than Hillel or the other greats of the Tradition. Jesus did not merely give a summary statement. Jesus’ life became the ultimate summary statement. He laid down his life in love of God and love of neighbor. For us Christians, Jesus’ life is our summary statement.
Love: Keeping it Simple
This past Thursday, I was helping our staff set up for a meeting of priests in our deanery. The lunch was to be delivered. Our campus is a large campus and delivery folks often get mixed up. As I was helping set up, I kept one eye on the entrance to the hall downstairs. Right on time, a car pulled up for delivery. I asked him if he needed any help. “I think I got it,” he said and brought the food to the table. He was kind and cordial. He left and was about to get into his car but something told me to be nice. I presumed that a decent tip was included online but something told me to give him a tip in person. I ran to the car before he could speed away and gave him a tip. He thanked me, but before he got into his car, he said, “You know, I have been thinking about this for sometime now, but I want to be baptized.” I said, “Really?” He said, “I have never been baptized and I think it will be good for me!” I cautioned him, “Now, you know that this is a Catholic Church, right?” He said, “Its Jesus Christ, yes?” I took his phone number, spoke to him the next day, and he has expressed his desire to come RCIA. As he drove away, I wondered about the moment that could have been lost if I did not care. A little kindness can go a long way!
Religion and faith are complex realities. The Judaism of Jesus’ time presented its own issues and the Catholicism of today presents its own issues. Let the complexities not bog us down. Jesus kept it simple. "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37-40). Like Jesus, let us keep it simple.
The Eucharist is a ritual celebration of the love of God and love of neighbor. What we celebrate in this Eucharist, may we live out in our lives. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph