This Sunday, November 3, 2024, the Gospel reading is taken from Mark 12:28-34, the Greatest Commandment. The setting is a conversation between Jesus and the teachers of the law of Moses. To help us understand what is truly the most important of God’s commandments, let us quote part of this conversation:
- 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
- 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
- 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
- 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
In verses 29 and 30, Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, one of the Books of Moses: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” This is an ancient commandment that echoes the Ten Commandments in the first book of Moses, Exodus (20:1-8), on how to love our God (Exodus 20, verses 3, 4, 7, & 8).
In verse 31, “Love your neighbor as yourself” is Jesus’ concise interpretation of the second part of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:12-17, which include:
- Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Loving God means loving your neighbor as yourself. This law actually has three commandments to love: love your God, love your neighbor, and love yourself. Love others and yourself equally. Taking care of yourself is also a way of taking care of others.
It is easier to understand loving your God and your neighbor as yourself if we start by thinking of loving yourself, your neighbor, and your God.
Loving myself
To love myself is to exercise my basic human rights. Of all the human rights provisions enshrined in the United Nations declarations, statutes, conventions, the Philippine constitution, and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), I hold most dear: (1) the right to life, (2) the right to human dignity, and (3) the right to human development.
I love myself. I value my life. I will protect my life. I will fight for my life. To live a better life, I should have a stable job, earn a living wage, and enjoy the benefits that a laborer is entitled to receive. With my job, I am able to support my family and assist neighbors in distress.
As I approach retirement, I also prepare for it, including making arrangements for my final resting place. I need regular medical check-ups and health monitoring, as well as recreational outings with family and friends.
I am also a committed Christian, so I offer my tithe, or ten percent, and pledge support to Church projects, programs, missions, and ministries.
Loving my neighbor
In loving my neighbor, I consider my neighbor’s well-being. As I love myself, I ensure that what I wish for myself aligns with what I wish for my neighbor. It is my duty and obligation to educate my neighbor on how to live a dignified and progressive life.
I also strive and fight for my neighbor’s rights. My neighbor should have access to life’s basic needs. Whatever affects my neighbor’s life and welfare also affects mine. I will not be content if my neighbor lives in poverty, oppression, exploitation, or deprivation of essential needs.
If my neighbor’s rights are violated, I will not only pray but also condemn the perpetrators. In solidarity, I will stand with the victim in their struggle so that justice may be served. I will continue to inspire my neighbor to live joyfully and hold hope for a brighter future.
Loving my God
Loving my God may differ from the way my neighbor loves God. My God is the Creator, the Messiah, and the Liberator. I believe that my God stands with me in defending my basic rights and accompanies me as I express love to my neighbor.
Because my God loves me, I will obey His commandments and prayers. I will honor His prayer in John 17:21: “That they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.”
Finally, loving my God means desiring authentic reconciliation and fraternity among all Christians, believers, non-believers, and people of goodwill.
The commandment to love my God, my neighbor, and myself is a Christian standard of living. How can we love ourselves? We love ourselves by respecting our lives. If we claim the right to live, we must take care of our lives and live according to God’s will.
We must protect our lives. We should not fall victim to abuse or violations of human rights. Our lives deserve respect and value.
Let us love our lives with dignity. We should avoid activities that are meaningless and fail to provide us the opportunity for a dignified life. When we are in need, we must strive and even struggle to improve our lives. We must change situations that deny us the chance to grow and prosper.
This is the image of loving ourselves. This is also what we want for our neighbors if we love them.
Above all, we will love God because He is the one who gives us life. He guides us as we work and struggle for our rights and needs. He strengthens our faith so that we can fully love and support our neighbors. He continues to guide us to be people of honor and dignity, living joyful and abundant lives. We are disciples of God, hoping for the fulfillment of His reign or the fullness of life. We await the completion of God’s kingdom, with the participation of His people.
