limitation when it comes to the use of the word ‘love.’ There is no word as empty of meaning as the word ‘love’ in English language. Even languages as primitive as Greek and Latin have different words that put the idea of liking or loving in context. But in our dear English language, the word love is used to express whatever we feel is important to us—whether or not it makes sense—as well as some of the most sublime acts of sacrifice. A soldier who puts himself in harm’s way to fight for his country could use the word ‘love’ to describe his sacrificial commitment to his country—“I love my country,” as an alcoholic would say—“I love my bourbon.” Nowadays, if you don’t agree with some behavior or lifestyle of your neighbor or family member, the question that’s easily thrown at you is: “Where’s the love in your heart?” Consequently, among all the words in the English dictionary, love is perhaps the singular word that suffers from the highest misconception. To the scribe who asked which commandment of the law was the first, Jesus reads the Pledge of Allegiance of the Jews called the Shema. It says: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” He went on to add: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Here, Jesus quotes directly the words of the first reading today from the book of Deuteronomy. The addition, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” is not part of the Shema but comes from Leviticus 19:18. Jesus did not quote the verse entirely but lifted the words, “love your neighbor as yourself” from the verse. The entire verse 18 says: “You will not exact vengeance on, or bear any sort of grudge against the members of your race, but will love your neighbor as yourself.” It is significant that Jesus dropped the first part of the verse which limited love to members of one’s race, hence, permitting hatred toward those that are not of your race. I’m also surprised that the scribe didn’t react to that but agreed wholeheartedly with Jesus. But the point I want to make is that going by the modern interpretation of love, the Shema will be impossible. God is not a being to whom you can give or from whom you can expect mere warm cozy feeling. Could that be the reason why the love of God and love of everything Godlike has grown cold in the hearts of modern people?
Next are the faculties with which we are to exercise love: all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. If you take out these four faculties (heart, soul, mind and strength) nothing remains of the human person. This proves that love happens with the whole person and is not limited to one or another specific faculty. Unfortunately, for many, love exists only in the glands.
How was it that Jesus felt at liberty to add a second part to the Shema? Never before had any rabbi done so nor would have any thought of adding to or removing from the law. What makes Jesus’ addition exceptional is the statement following the answer He gave to the scribe, “There is no other commandment greater than these.” Matthew’s account added: “On these two depend the entire law and prophet;” meaning that one cannot be taken without the other—like the two threads on which a weight hangs. If you cut off one thread, the object (weight) would necessarily collapse. Love of God and love of neighbor (without limits of country, tribe, race, language, tongue) is the greatest commandment. No amount of sacrifice can suffice for love of God and neighbor. Religious observance that excludes love of neighbor, like that of the priest and the Levite who passed by the wounded traveler in order to attend to God’s service, is a loveless sacrifice. Similarly, philanthropism and any form of human love that excludes the author of love is an exercise in futility. Sooner than later, its true color will appear and the charade will lose its muster.
Fr. Chukwudi Jo Okonkwo