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Christ’s theological and political enemies try, always try, to catch him out with multitudes of trick questions. Which is the greatest commandment in the law? they ask, craftily, ready to make a case for the one he does not choose.

And from the morass of the 613 commands in the Torah, Christ chooses just two. The great and first commandment, the megale and protos commandment, he says, is to love God, with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind. Love God, because he, creator of the universe, and of you; lover of the world and of you; dream-giver, dream-granter, is worthy of our love.

The second one is like it, love your neighbour as yourself; do unto others what you wish they would do unto you. Treat yourself gently; treat others gently. The entire law and the prophets hang on these two commandments, Jesus says.

And Jesus models living these commandments--waking early, and slipping to lonely places to chat with his father; maintaining his physical, mental and spiritual health by hiking to be alone with God in deserts, by the River Jordan, on mountains, in gardens. And he loved people, sharing bread and wine he created by the power of faith, cooking fish for his friends, bringing healing through his presence, his words, and his wisdom.

A great golden triad on which to base our lives--love of God, of others, and of our own selves.

My memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India UK USA

Blog: anitamathias.com

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My book of essays: Wandering Between Two Worlds (US) and UK