The great commandment Matthew 22:34-46

Matthew 22:34-46 Gospel reading for Sunday 23rd October 2011

This is a complex reading. To get the full picture it is important to analyze the preceding verses in chapter 22 and indeed take into account numerous exchanges during the course of Matthew's Gospel. It effectively marks the end of a long battle between Jesus and the religious authorities. Note in particular the final verse of the reading  ... from that day on no-one dared asked Jesus any more questions!

All of that aside, this reading is no doubt included in the lectionary series because it contains one of the very famous sayings of Jesus ... the command to love God and to love our neighbour in the same way that we love ourselves. It is also in effect, a reiteration of what is commonly referred to as the Golden Rule (which has its origins in Matthew 7:12 or the parallel Luke 6:31 ... the call to do treat others in the same way that we would want them to treat us.)

I like this view from Clayton Schmit (workingpreacher) ... "Loving God is the first thing, the most important thing. But, with it comes a corollary: to love God means that you also love God's people."

As we strive to build our Christian communities in and around our Lutheran Schools ... what better starting point?

Nev