Friday; March 28, 2014
The Two Loves Are Not Separate
The OT text is Hosea’s conclusion to his writings. God’s love for Hosea is a mirror of Hosea's love for Gomer, the prostitute that God told him to marry. In a way it reflects the way we live. We are unfaithful to God, and he loves us in spite of that. The idea that the creator of the universe is actually concerned about me and loves me not matter what is almost beyond belief for me.
In the NT, Jesus says the greatest command is to for that love to be reciprocated with our entire being (heart, soul, mind, and strength). And, equal to that commandment, he commands us to love our neighbors like we love ourselves. Rohr quotes the famous rabbi Hillel, a contemporary of Jesus, “What you find hateful do not do to another. This is the whole of the Law. Everything else is commentary. Now go learn that!” Perhaps these words from Jesus, what Scot McKnight calls the Jesus Creed, is the whole of the law for us and everything else is commentary.
Quote from Rohr, Richard (2010-12-27). Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent (p. 74). St. Anthony Messenger Press. Kindle Edition.
