Today’s Gospel is a very familiar passage stating the Greatest Commandment. The story, in particular the restating of the Shema, reminds us that we should prioritize God in our lives and center ourselves around God’s presence. We know the Gospel well - a scribe asks Jesus about the most important commandment, perhaps in an attempt to trick him or to learn if he is the real deal. Jesus cites the Shema, a central prayer in the Jewish faith found in Deuteronomy that affirms God’s oneness and pledges one’s dedication to this God. The Shema stands out among the 613 laws of the Torah as a foundational element to all of the Law. This simple command of recognition could be used as a way to summarize the rest of the Torah. In his role as a teacher, Jesus expresses his knowledge of the entirety of the Law by reciting the Shema as the Greatest Commandment.
Of course Jesus would remind the scribe and all those listening to focus their lives on God. Even in that time, believers would live in a way that pushed God to the side. Relying on God as stated in Deuteronomy requires obedience and offers freedom - to fully give our hearts, minds, and souls to God compels us to let go of whatever prevents us from prioritizing God above all else. In letting go, we make space for what is truly important and have the availability to move with the Spirit. We are more open to our true calling and purpose in life, the reason for which we were made, and we may be more receptive to living in that way.
However, it is not the Greatest Commandment that I find most significant in this passage. One of my favorite verses in the Gospels can be found at the end of this passage. It is Jesus’ answer to the man asking the question. When the scribe agrees with Jesus’ response, Jesus says, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Imagine Jesus, whose sole purpose in becoming a human being was to bring the kingdom of God into the present reality, telling you that you are close to achieving his goal, that you are an integral part of his plan, that you are contributing to bringing heaven to earth. I find it so powerful to consider how I might work to bring the kingdom of God to the present. To know that the Lord felt my good deeds and faith might allow me to be close to the kingdom of God would be incredibly healing.
As human beings, it is natural for us to seek consolation and validation that we are on the right path. I often find my prayers revolve around a common theme of requesting confirmation that I have found my place, that I am living up to God’s desires for me, that I am doing what I should be doing. The scribe truly received what I personally crave, but so few are blessed to experience. Although I would appreciate the acknowledgement, I suppose the purpose of faith is to reassure us. The nature of faith demands our acceptance of the unknown. I will never feel the sensation of relief wash over me in the way the scribe did; however, I believe that there are times when God has said to me, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” and I strive to reach the kingdom at the end of my days. Therefore, I plan to follow the Greatest Commandment, even when it is difficult or unpopular, even when I am unsure or scared. When we put God at the center of our lives, we approach the kingdom of God.
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