Aa scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
The scholar of the law in today's gospel has the good sense to ask the Lord a sensible question. Christians often share their faith by asking similar questions like, "Which verse of the Bible is your favorite?" or, "Which verse speaks to you today?"
Answers vary from one person to another, and from time to time. School of thought, spiritualities, and denominations have their different emphases. But, for good or ill, they represent those who answer such questions rather than the Lord who speaks to us in sacred words of the Bible.
As Saints Mark and Matthew tell the story, the conflict between the Lord and his many opponents has come to a critical moment. The Sadducees have retreated from the Lord; they cannot stump him. The Pharisees, despite the Lord's objections to their rigidity, are not as obtuse; and the scholar's question seems to be an honest one, "Which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
As Saint Mark tells the story, the lawyer is more than satisfied with the answer; and the Lord blesses him for it: "“You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Saint Matthew does not tell us the Pharisees' reaction; he is more interested in the Lord's teaching authority. In both Gospels, the initiative shifts and Jesus will ask the next questions. And, in all the Gospels, it is clear that He speaks with the authority of God. There will be no more hostile questions until Jesus stands before the midnight kangaroo court following his Last Supper.
His answer is quite a surprise because Jesus answers one question with two verses which seem opposites: 1) You shall love the Lord your God; and 2) You shall love your neighbor. "Which one is it?" we might ask.
Neither the Sadducees, Herodians, or Pharisees had noticed that the two verses, found in different books of the Old Testament -- Deuternomy and Leviticus -- are inseparable. Don't kid yourself: You do not love God if you do not love your neighbor. You do not love your neighbor if you do not love your God.
Revelation often gives us perfectly obvious truths that we had never seen before, and would never have thought of! Our minds may be able to comprehend the truth once we've heard it; but our hearts, unredeemed and ungraced, must object loudly, "That's impossible! I cannot do it!"
The Lord's opponents must withdraw. They are stunned into silence by a truth that is so obvious, so unexpected, and so far beyond their comprehension.
We, the Lord's disciples also must withdraw into the silence of our hearts to allow this truth to challenge our minds and hearts. There has to be some serious rearranging of our inner furniture! And we might have to let him do it because the mind's tables, sofas, and bureaus are too heavy.
In prayer, and in time, we may notice the changes He makes. We're not as antagonistic toward people we don't like and distrust. We notice virtues in them we had not noticed; and worse, we might not own in ourselves! But these unexpected, unnoticed virtues are available to us, if we're available to them.
"Lord I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. Say but the Word and my soul will be healed."
