In our gospel passage from Mark 12 today, Jesus replies to a scribe’s question about what the greatest commandment is. This was a regularly debated topic among the scribes of Jesus’ day as well as now. Quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Jesus gives the prayer that is known as the “Shema Yisrael” (Hear O Israel!) which is the first and most central part of the recited morning and evening prayers required of all Jewish males of his time as well as the Orthodox today. Almost every Jewish person of his day would have agreed with Jesus that this was indeed the greatest commandment. However, Jesus adds another commandment, specifically from Leviticus 9:18, as a second, and by implication, equally important one. It becomes the uniquely Christian commandment to love God and to love neighbor.
 
Luke’s gospel account changes this story a bit with Jesus asking the scribe (who had first asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life) what he thinks, whereupon the scribe then quotes exactly what Jesus says in Matthew’s account we hear today, and then Jesus approves his answer. In Luke’s version, the scribe is already aware that this is what Jesus has been teaching (Jesus’ distinct addition to the Shema, with his equally important insistence on love of neighbor) and uses it to challenge Jesus with a further question, “And who is my neighbor?” which then prompts Jesus’ to tell the great parable of the Good Samaritan (found only in Luke) which would no doubt have greatly surprised the smug scribe!
 
We must also recall here Jesus telling his disciples at the last supper in John 13:34, “I give you a new commandment, love one another as I have loved you.” And 1John 4: “Those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.” So it is immensely clear that loving our neighbor is as imperative as loving God and that we are to love everyone, since Jesus is telling us in the parable that we are all neighbors to one another, and to love them in the same way in which Jesus loved us, that is, without exception and unconditionally. Which also very much includes forgiving everyone from the heart.
 
Both this love like Jesus’s and complete forgiveness are entirely from above, entirely from God’s grace. We cannot manufacture either by ourselves or as a matter of our will power. We must sincerely pray for these gifts every day until we overcome our own resistance to them. Such love does not depend on how lovable or attractive the beloved is or is not (“If you love those who love you, what merit is there in that?”), it does not seek any reward or even acknowledgement. It asks for nothing in return, not affection or friendship or even appreciation. It makes no demands. It does not ask the beloved to behave in any way to gain your love (“As for you, love your enemies; do good to those who persecute you.”). Obviously, it is the highest of all love and thus can only come from God.
 
The fact that love like this seems so rare does not mean we shouldn’t bother seeking it or simply assume that it is meant for “the saints” alone, as if we are usurpers to even consider its possibility. It is meant for all of us if we but had the faith to seek it constantly. Like everything else, it requires faith, willingness and a certain practice. Practice being kind and forgiving, tolerant and patient. Practice accepting people as they are and try to give up any attempts or even desire to change them. Pray for humility to cease thinking of life as a competition and learn to relax. A loving nature can more easily come to us when we stop doing battle all the time. Seek and you will find, remembering that prayer is the primary way we seek God’s love, and that little spiritual growth happens without it. “Pray without ceasing.” 1Thes 5:17