Gospel
Mass Lectionary · GospelMatthew 22:34–40
The Pharisees, hearing that he had caused the Sadducees to be silent, came together as one.
And one of them, a doctor of the law, questioned him, to test him:
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him: “‘You shall love the Lord your God from all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
But the second is similar to it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments the entire law depends, and also the prophets.”
Prayer on Fire Gospel Lesson
After he has silenced the Sadducees, a lawyer asks which commandment is the greatest. It is a live debate, and it is a test.
Where this sits
They want a ranking so that something can be set aside.
The center
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two hang the Law and the Prophets. He does not discard the rest. He says none of it can be kept apart from these. Love of God and love of neighbor are not rivals and not optional.
What to take
Every other observance is measured here.
Original – Prayer on Fire
Gospel of the Day · Text: Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV) · Mass Lectionary · Gospel