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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

Greatest in the kingdom of heaven

Opinion

Greatest in the kingdom of heaven

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

To be called “least” or “greatest” in the Kingdom of heaven does not suggest that there is a hierarchy in God’s Kingdom, or people are classified in the order of their “sanctity.”

Like the Jewish teachers, Jesus uses the expressions “greatest” and “least” to show approval or disapproval of a person’s behavior.

The commandments refer to the Jewish Law or Torah as reinterpreted and renewed by Jesus.

He teaches us to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. The Law—and the Prophets—in their entirety are contained in the love-commandment expounded by Jesus.

In Jesus’ interpretation, love preserves in its entirety the spirit of God’s commandments. “Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law,” says St. Paul (Rom 13:10). One who loves is called “greatest”; he has God’s approval.

Gospel • Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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