October 25, 2020
30th Sunday Ordinary
I have been listening in my car to the senate confirmation hearing on Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. I am fascinated by the exchanges. Both republican and democratic senators can resist to give their political point of view for the folks back home but there are moments when you learn about our Constitution, philosophy of juris prudence, precedent, and system of laws.
When Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the pharisees regrouped and one of them a scholar of the law asks Jesus: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus says to him; “You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul. And with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend (hang) on these two commandments.” There are 613 precepts or commands in the Torah. Jesus zeroes in on the foundational commandment(s): love of God and love of neighbor as yourself.
We sometimes demean Jewish law in the Bible by referring to the laws as a list of “you shall not.” In the Book of Exodus, we hear God giving commands “you shall not” that are intended to protect aliens, widows, orphans and poor. If they cry out, I will hear them “for I am compassionate.” Laws are prescribed to protect the vulnerable from harm. “You shall not” laws codify God’s mercy. As I am merciful, you must be merciful.
St. Paul praises the Church at Thessalonica for being a model for other churches. They committed themselves to Christ and conformed their lives to the Gospel. They strived to live the great commandment of love. The commandment to love God and our neighbor as ourselves is written in them.
God hears the cry of our poor neighbors. God hears the silent cry of the child in the womb. God hears the cry of the pregnant woman with no health care and support. God hears the cry of the sick and elderly confined and restricted to nursing homes. God hears the cry of immigrants and refugees. God hears the cry of those imprisoned even on death row. Are we listening for the cries of our poor neighbors? God hears and is compassionate. Are we?
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