The coin of Good News

The greatest commandment

In today’s Gospel, a scribe came closer to Jesus to ask Him which commandment is the first and the greatest of all the commandments. Through his concern, seeking the answer, the scribe found himself closer to the truth than ever before.

The Torah is full of commandments. 613 of them. The rabbis divided those commandments into 248 positive and 365 negative. The scribes looked for one that would summarize and speak for them all. The fact that they tried to make it more simple was a great idea, wasn’t it?

However, the scribe’s question was in error – because he asked about one commandment, the most important one. And to him, it seems that the answer was to love God without love of neighbor; he wanted to make it that simple.

Two sides of the same coin

Jesus gave him a clear answer: to love God wholly and totally (with one’s heart, soul, and mind) and to love one’s neighbor. These are the greatest commandments of all. They are the key to understanding the law and the prophets. Pope Francis said, “Love of God and love of neighbor are inseparable. They are two sides of the same coin.”

If the love of God and neighbor are inseparable, it is impossible to fulfill the first without the second.

In Jesus Christ, both commandments become one, because He is both God and man; Son of God and Son of man. He is a creator who decided to become His own creation.

The sign of faith

At this time, many of us ask what will happen next, how we can reach people with the Good News when the ministries and churches are closed. It can happen wherever we are: in person at stores or even using social media.

This answer is simple – we can still reach the people, and it is our missionary work. How? Through signs that call people to faith. For Jesus Christ says: Love one another as I have loved you; by this love, they will know that you are My disciples (Jn 13:34).

John 13:34 NRSVCE

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

He also asks His Father to bring us to perfection as one “ so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17:21)

John 17:21 NRSVCE

that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Especially during this time, when we might get easily frustrated or angry, let us ask our Mother Mary to help us to be charitable in our words and actions. Let us use these words and actions in a positive way as they are the instruments of the Good News and comfort.