“Who do you love?” The song, written by Bo Diddley in the 1950s and popularized by George Thorogood in the 1980s, asks a question we all must answer at some point. The question is in sharp focus in today’s first reading and in the Gospel reading, where Jesus reminds his followers of Moses’ command to the people of Israel to love God above all else.“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Then Jesus adds something to what Moses said: “The second is this. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”So, who do you love? We are called to love God with all that we are and have. That’s a tall order. Because as we all know, love doesn’t mean to just think fondly of someone, but do devote yourself to enjoying and caring for another person. About the only thing in these readings that I can probably say I do for certain is the “as yourself” part of Jesus’ call for us to love our neighbor as ourselves. If love means really caring for someone, I know that I care about myself an awful lot. In fact, if I’m honest, I spend much of my time and energy trying to secure a good life for myself and for my family. Am I supposed to do that for everyone else too?Loving God and neighbor is more important than the religious observances many are used to equating with faith. If our spiritual lives are not conducted out of love, then what good are they?Many have suggested that Jesus’ addition of the second command to love our neighbors as we love ourselves is meant to elaborate on the call to love God with “all our heart, soul and strength.” What does it mean to love God? Well, maybe this is what it means — to care for others with the same devotion and attention that we spend on ourselves.So I ask myself, whom do I love? Well, like I said, I think I’ve got the “self” part nailed. About the only way I can relate to loving another as fiercely as I love myself is through my relationships with my children. I’ve called raising children as “joyful sacrifice.” You give so much not out of duty but out of the joy of seeing another person grow. And you don’t have to be asked to do it. This is the kind of love we’re expected to have for God and our neighbors. Jesus’ message comes as a response to a man who asked which of God’s commandments is most important. After Jesus gives his answer — to love God and love your neighbor — the person who asked the question agrees. “Well said, teacher,” the man says, noting that love of God and neighbor “is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” In other words, loving God and neighbor is more important than the religious observances many are used to equating with faith. If our spiritual lives are not conducted out of love, then what good are they? We are called not just to attend church and follow the rules of our faith, we are called love it.Bill Peatman writes from Napa. He may be reached at [email protected].
