"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."(Matthew 22:40)
I'm not really into rules. While I understand the purpose of rules, laws, commandments etc. it seems to me that most rules follow from a central premise and a mindset of how we interact with each other.
The point Jesus is trying to make is that of all the commandments, and some believe that throughout the Hebrew scripture there are 613, that there are two from which all the others flow, loving God with everything you are, and loving neighbor as self.
How simple. Any of the commandments on religious practice flow from loving God with all your heart, soul and mind. The minutia is where we get bogged down. The same goes for commandments that address are interaction with others, love them the way you love yourself. Even if you just looked at the "10 commandments" they flow out of that premise.
Now at first that looks really easy, but hears the rub, you have to love yourself. Not in an egotistical way, but in a humble way, that doesn't beat itself up but acknowledges the image of God in one's self.
But if you're not a fan of you, I doubt the loving neighbor is going to work out real well for your neighbor.
Blessings,
Ed
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment