A Meditation for Trinity 21
Matthew 22: 34-40
34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ 37He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” 38This is the greatest and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’
Reflection
Matthew’s Gospel tells many stories of Jesus teaching – in particular, addressing the misconceptions and misuse of the Law of Moses, in respect to the religious hierarchies and leadership of the time. The Pharisees (the middle- and professional- classes) believed in oral traditional as well as the written law, and interpreted it often to suit themselves; the Sadducees (more upper-class religious leaders) insisted on Literal interpretation; and the Herodians, (who were loyal to the Jewish King – a puppet controlled by the Roman occupiers) didn’t want the boat rocked for fear of Roman retribution. All of them had reason to oppose Jesus as a threat to their own position. Despite their differences, they were united in their wish to get rid of Him.
Last week’s Gospel described the Pharisees trying to trick Jesus by questioning His loyalty, using a post-Mosaic legal question “is it lawful to pay taxes to Ceasar or not?”. It didn’t work. The Sadducees then had a go, questioning the theology of Resurrection; when both failed – with a degree of humiliation – the Pharisees tried another tack, this time referring to an interpretation of the ten Commandments given to Moses – “which is the greatest Commandment?”.
Jesus, by this time I suspect heartily sick of them, gives it to them straight. ‘It’s quite simple’ He says. All the Law – and the way you behave in applying it in everyday life – must be in accordance with the foundation underpinning the Law’s intention, whether written or oral. Love, He said. Love God. Love your neighbour. That’s it – everything you do can be, and must be, derived from these two commandments.
It is worth remembering what Jesus meant by love – the word in Greek is ‘agape’ – endless, unconditional love. The love He will show in accepting torture, ridicule and death for the redemption of all created humanity, whether they deserved it or not. This would be completely beyond the understanding of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians – not to mention religious ‘leaders’ up to and including today. Servant leadership demands putting oneself last – even to death on a cross. I don’t see much of that in today’s News headlines.
Praying Together 21st June 2026
‘You are of more value than many sparrows.’
Yes perhaps we are – but that doesn’t mean that sparrows have no value at all.
Praying Together 31st May 2026
Throughout the world, greeting one another with a kiss is a standard way of greeting – once, twice or more (four times in some regions of of France.) In our less demonstrative culture, we perhaps tend to ‘Share the peace’ by means of a nod, wave, handshake a hug or sometimes even a kiss itself in order to respect what we understand as the boundaries of a person’s ‘personal space’.
Praying Together 17th May 2026
‘Somethin’s comin’, don’t know what it is, but it is gonna be great’
Praying Together 10th May 2026
This week I offer a report of our Archbishop John’s Introductory address to this week’s General Synod. It speaks for itself. I wish certain political leaders would read it too.
Praying Together 26th April 2026
Fortunately, God’s love is not restricted to those who do good. He sent His only Son to save sinners – whoever they may be, whatever they may have done wrong.
Praying Together April 19th 2026
Judgement is not restricted to either believers or non-believers – but All people
Praying Together 12th April 2026
Let’s talk about Peter, the ‘Rock’ on which Christ’s Church is built.
Seriously, would you have chosen him? Surely, one of the other Disciples would be the most highly qualified.
Praying Together Easter Sunday 2026
A Reflection provided by the Revd. Barbara Irrgang-Buckley for the First Sunday of Easter
Praying Together – A Thought for Good Friday 2026
Through our tears as we stand at the foot of the Cross and witness His Crucifixion on this Good Friday, we have the privilege of looking beyond the day unto a day of joy as we are assured of His life – then, today and tomorrow. We leave our past behind as we walk away from Golgotha, the place of the skull.
Praying Together March 29th 2026
These things are worth meditation and thought, as we enter this Holy Week – but the even more important question that we can only answer for ourselves, is embodied in twelve straightforward words written by Charles Wesley.
How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Praying Together 22 March 2026
“Lazarus, come out.” He calls Lazarus by name. Even death cannot triumph, and so it is with sin. There is no depth or distance to which human being can go that can prevent them from hearing that call. It is up to them to choose to accept or deny it.
Praying Together 15th March 2026
Simeon, though, didn’t just hear about the Messiah being incarnate in the child – he also knew that the child’s destiny would involve pain and suffering in order to fulfil His mission. And Mary knew too. The consolation of Israel – of the world – would cost her the life of her child.