October 23, 2005 - Pentecost +23

Matthew 22:34-46

34 When the Pharisees heard how Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. 35 One of them, a teacher of the Law, tried to test him with this question, 36 "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the Law?"

37 Jesus answered, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and the most important of the commandments. 39 But after this there is another one very similar to it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 The whole Law and the Prophets are founded on these two commandments."

The Messiah, Son of God

41 As the Pharisees were gathered there, Jesus asked them, 42 "What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he to be?" They answered, "David's."

43 Jesus then asked, "Why did David, inspired by God, call the Messiah Lord? For he says in a psalm: 44 The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right until I put your enemies under your feet. 45 If David calls him Lord, how can he be his son?"

46 No one could answer him, not even a word. From that day on, no one dared question him anymore.

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Comments by Wesley

1. Church: You shall love GOD with all your selves.

2. State: You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself.

3. These two perspectives help reveal one another. They are creative in their interplay. The Law (priestly love of GOD) and the Prophets (calls to justice for the least) are another way of talking about the common good. Both are needed to inform the other, for left to their own devices they would lead to fanaticism and fascism.