Decalogue

Matthew 22 assembles four conflict stories. They demonstrate the brilliant mind of Jesus and his sublime courage.

The third story:

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?

Jesus said to them, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.’

‘The second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’

The Ten Commandments are known as the Decalogue – i.e., Ten Words.

The first three commandments deal with our relationship with God. The words that come to mind:

God

God’s Name

God’s Day.

The next seven deal with our relationship with our neighbour. The words that come to mind:

Marriage & Family

Life

Sexuality

Property

Truth.

It is clear that Jesus is following this original two-fold division of the Decalogue in his response to the controversy:

It is most important that we know the Decalogue.

It is most important that we live the Decalogue.

It is most important that we love the Decalogue.

For what is at stake is the defence and promotion of fundamental human values.

We ignore the wisdom of the Decalogue at our own peril. We reap what we sow.

Amen.