Posted by The WORD in other words (2018) by Fr Bubi Scholz SVD – Germany
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Some years ago, a magazin reported how the director of a funeral parlor asked his clients: “If you are allowed to bring along a small suitcase when you die, what would you put into it?” He got all kinds of answers: Wedding ring, trophy, photo of my children, etc.
What would I put into the maleta? Surely the most important and precious thing in life. But which would that be? The scribe wanted to know precisely that: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Which thing matters most?
The wisest teacher and counselor, Jesus, gives an answer that is clear, precise, and firm. “First, love God, with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; second, love your neighbor as yourself. Nothing is greater than these.”
The scribe feels that Jesus has articulated what is deepest in his own heart. “You are right. Tama ang sinabi ninyo. Approved!” Would I also agree wholeheartedly with Jesus?
Many years ago I gave a recollection to high school students. Before and after the talks they practiced a song, “Fill the world with love.” The first two stanzas speak about the morning and the noontime of life, asking God for the blessing “to fill the world with love.” The third stanza is about the evening of life which confronts me with the question “Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?” Have I done the thing that really counts?
We often call the commandment of love the great commandment. The scribe says it is greater than any other thing. For instance the animal sacrifices of the Jews and other external performances and rites are secondary.
In fact, without love even good things are not worth much. St. Paul says (canticle of love, 1 Cor 13): “I may distribute my possessions to the poor, but if I don’t have love I am nothing.” Love gives value to all other things.
When Jesus hears that the scribe has fully accepted his teaching he gives him sincere praise, a “high approval rating,” saying, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” It means, you are part of it. One Tagalog translation says: “Kasama ka sa mga kinabibilangan sa kaharian ng Diyos.”
Indeed, the scribe gets his priorities right. For him, the top priority, the guiding principle and ideal in life, is loving God with all his heart and loving his neighbor as himself. When we practice that, the reign of God is becoming a reality in our world today.
