Reflection for the Readings of the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Deuteronomy 6: 2-6 | Psalms 18: 2-3, 3-4, 47, 51 | Hebrews 7: 23-28 | Mark 12: 28b-34
3 November 2024
Bro. Geno Magat
We live in a reality where most aspects of our lives are bound by various “laws” to regulate activities, to mitigate harm, or, simply, to distinguish the right from wrong. Standards and parameters are set for the observance of those who are meant to comply. In a school or a workplace context, there are codes of conduct/ethics, rules and regulations, and core values guidelines that serve as frameworks for individuals to conform with. Otherwise, they will have to face corresponding consequences depending on the rule or law violated. Moreover, in these modern times, people also get to consider “unsaid laws” such as, for example, house rules where it is common courtesy during meals for a family member to fully finish the food (walang tira-tira, kunin kung ano lang ang kayang ubusin). Other examples may also include the “bro code”, the 3-month rule for relationships, not-my-story-to-tell, and many other ideals which were developed over time. In essence, both formal and informal laws serve as our compasses in navigating through life.
The First Reading is entitled “the Great Commandment”, a passage of the Book of Deuteronomy from the Old Testament. Here, Moses tells us to “fear the Lord, your God, by keeping, as long as you live, all His statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you, and thus have a long life.” The commandment deviates from the usual “follow or be punished” ideal and, thus, suggests an “obey so you will be rewarded” setup. Nonetheless, this passage illustrates demand for obedience through “fear”. Though it may constitute a high probability of compliance, obedience through fear lacks authenticity. Sumusunod ka lang dahil takot ka, hindi dahil alam mo na iyon ay ang tama. In contrast, the bible passage states further that “you shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole strength.” How can a commandment of love be, at the same time, a commandment of fear? “Fear the Lord your God…” Can we even love with all our heart, our soul, and our strength while anchored in our fear?
Moving further to the New Testament, the Second Reading, from the letter to the Hebrews, establishes Jesus as the Eternal Priest, which is also the guarantee for an even better covenant. Following this, Jesus, in the Gospel of Mark, made a major revision of the Old Testament’s commandment. Here, He broke down the “Greatest Commandment” into two. For the first one, to reiterate the previous commandments full of “do not’s”, Christ simply tells us, “love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, with your whole mind, and with your whole strength.” Compared to the one in the Old Testament, Jesus focused solely on the theme of love. Diba mas magaan nga namang pakinggan? “Love the Lord your God.” There is more authenticity in following this commandment because you no longer follow by being afraid of something, but by genuinely adhering to the commandment of love. Perhaps, it’s a way of Jesus saying, “huwag kang matakot.” Jesus’ Greatest Commandment is followed by a second part of the revision which tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This connotes that we should refrain from both selfishness and unreasonable selflessness. It was not phrased as “love your neighbors after yourself,” or “love your neighbors, then yourself.” Sometimes we get too ahead of ourselves and forget the needs of others. And other times, we tend to forget attending our own needs and prioritize others. Here, we are reminded to constantly find the fine line between us and others. This is a situational matter where our innate moral compass will be our guide.
As we contemplate on this Jesus’ commandment of love, let us visualize the cross, the ultimate symbol of love for Christianity. The first commandment is depicted as the vertical post of the cross: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. On the other hand, the horizontal part of the cross represents the second one: love your neighbors as you love yourself. We embody the cross as a whole, we live in accordance with the commandments. Nonetheless, we can never abide with one while ignoring the other. We cannot say we love God while turning a blind eye to the needs of others.
