Back to commandments
The Lectionary has us back to commandments, and not just any commandments but the Ten Commandments! The big set. We had them read to us from Exodus and I was reminded again that most of them are pretty easy to keep . . . as long as we stick with the letter of the law, e.g., ignore what Jesus has to say about say, murder. Then we read St. Paul saying he was, in regard to “righteousness under the law, blameless.” (Phil 3:6b NRSV) Then we get the strange parable about the vineyard owner, his obstreperous and murderous tenants, and his son. What to make of it all?
The thing is, we have some guidance about commandments from Jesus himself. When he was asked by a specialist in the Hebrew scriptures’ law what the most important command
“He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
There you have it. When we go back to the Ten Commandments or any of the rules, regulations or statutes in the Old Testament we are to look at them through the lens of the greatest two commandments. I don’t know if any of you are struggling with commandments but if you are I hope this message is helpful to you. Please let me know what you think as you are inclined and able.
Blessings,
