The love of God and neighbour is understood as a formal commandment in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In Christianity and Judaism, the commandment to love God entails both action and affection. Deuteronomy 6 contains the first paragraph of the Shema (Deut 6:4–9): a text that underlines the reality of one God, deserving of loyalty and love. Jesus popularized the Shema in today’s gospel (Mk 12:28-34). This took place in a context of interrogation by a Scribe: What is the greatest commandment? In answering the question, Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. To love God with all our understanding and strength and to love our neighbour as oneself.
The Centrality of Love of God and Neighbour in the New and Old Testament
Shema (the affirmation of oneness of God and love of God and neighbour) has its origin in ancient Near Eastern treaties particularly to those that formalize a relationship of mutual benefit between a greater and a lesser king. Here the language of “love” is prominent: the lesser king (or vassal) “loves” his lord by showing him exclusive loyalty and observing the norms of the treaty. As William L. Moran (who first explored the love of God in Deuteronomy in connection to Shema) observes, “Above all, it is a love which must be expressed in loyalty, in service, and in unqualified obedience to the demands of the Law” (Cf. The Ancient Near Eastern Background of the Love of God in Deuteronomy,171).
In the case of the covenant between God and the people of Israel, the parallels with ancient Near Eastern treaties are many and highly suggestive—especially in the book of Deuteronomy. It views the relationship between Israel and its God consistently within the framework of a covenant. The people of Israel must live out their faithfulness and devotion to their God through an unqualified commitment to serve God alone, concretized in their practice of his commandments. In the New Testament, Jesus radicalised the Shema with his insistence on love of God and neighbour.
Not a Mere Juridical Law
Christians could understand the meaning of the injunction to love God and neighbour as oneself from God’s own love and its unfolding in and through Jesus Christ. Love can be hollow unless it is incarnated in action, just as the love of the Father is incarnated in Jesus Christ. Our basic bible reference for God’s love is John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son….” Love means readiness to give all for the sake of love. Jesus gave us a practical example of love. He put his love for his father in accomplishing the will of him. Loving his fellow human beings, sharing their life, forgiving his enemies. And, caring for the weak and loving them till the end. He loved to the extent of giving his life.
Even though love of God and neighbour is often seen as a duty and as a corollary of divine human relationship, it is also to be rooted in some practical reasons. Gratitude could become a way of expressing our love to God for the gifts one receives from Him. For instance, gratitude to God for the gift of a loving spouse, children, success, faith, and good health.
As human beings, it is not always easy to love God devotedly, especially when life is difficult. Part of love of God is that I am not afraid to tell God my fears, doubts, and worries. And, be honest with Him always. To love others is part of our love and loyalty to God. Love of neighbour begins always with a genuine love of self. “We are God’s work of art,” as St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2,10. It can be difficult for us to love our neighbour if we don’t love and appreciate ourselves genuinely.
Lord, we ask you to give us loving hearts that reach out to you and others. Amen!
