By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
Today’s gospel, Matthew 22:34–40, is at the heart of Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship.
The Sadducees had already failed to trap Jesus. Now the Pharisees put Him to a test, asking Him which is the greatest commandment of the Law. There were 613 prescriptions/precepts in the law of Moses.
Jesus answers: “You must 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 resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.”
