The Gospel from Matthew in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today is a statement, as noted by Don Schwager, of the Love of God which conquers all. Jesus is asked by the Pharisees, who were very familiar with the law and commentaries in Jewish tradition, about the greatest commandment. His response echoes the call to Israel in Deuteronomy 6:4 “Shema Yisrael”. The question of how we are to practice this commandment is expanded by Friar Jude Winkler as he reminds us that the “whole heart” in Hebrew testament writing referred to the centre of our intellect. The “whole soul” refers to our love of God persisting even until our soul is separated from us in death. Our whole mind or strength is all our possessions and talents are given to this love. Friar Jude tells us that the love of God (vertical dimension) and the love of neighbour (horizontal dimension) are inseparable for our living in the Spirit which is given us from God. The vision of resurrection of dry bones in the passage from the Prophet Ezekiel is likely related, according to Friar Jude, to Ezekiel visiting a Zoroastrian cemetery in exile in Babylon. The custom of this pagan religion was to allow bones of the dead to lie in the elements. The vision of the restoration of life to these bones has given Chas Kestermeier SJ a reflection about the lifeless goals we can sometimes pursue for power, possessions, privilege and pride. The restoration of communities from the Lost Tribes of Israel to Church communities where there appears to be only going through the motions are tied to this prophecy. Friar Jude also notes that Ezekiel was inspired by pagan practice to speak the Word of God and that Ezekiel may also be coming to an understanding of individual resurrection in this text. Our diligence in living the greatest commandment will enlighten our understanding from sources and people all around us.
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