October 23rd - Reflection

19th Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 22:34-46 (NRSV)
Loving God and neighbor
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: "What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
'The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet"'?

If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?" No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Reflection
So here is the test. A test of questioning. The Pharisees were out to test Jesus, most likely to defeat him and put Jesus away. Who is the Messiah? The Pharisees intended to use the Old Testament to test Jesus. But Jesus shows that the intent of the Old Testament passages was love at the heart of it all.

We are called to love God and one another. Old Testament or New Testament we are called to love. We are called to step out into the Kingdom of God and live in love. We follow Jesus example and life and teachings in this call. As we walk with Jesus in this world we have been given we are shown many ways to walk this love with family and friends in action. But we also need times to draw away with the Word and the Sacraments and the Church to guide and direct our steps with Jesus. So as we study the Word, as we partake of the Sacraments, as we listen to the Word spoken through pastors, friends and many and various ways in life, may we learn the love we are to act out.

This is not a test. This is not a test of the emergency broadcast system. This love, is a way of life in Jesus.

But for now and in this passage, the questioning has ended. The Pharisees will next appear with force. May we expect likewise sometimes in our life of love. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord Jesus, your bold example of love and compassion goes beyond anything I can imagine. Teach me to have this same focus on love. Teach me to be bold, even in the face of death. Teach me to love another. Lord, you have called me to tasks greater than what I can handle. But I know I walk with you and you will lead... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen