The
Hebrew word, Shema means hear and the famous statement Shema
Yisrael (Listen O Israel) is the centre piece of the morning, afternoon and
evening prayers of the Jews. It is depicted from the Hebrew scripture passages,
Deut 6:4-9, Deut 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41. It presents a faith statement
of the Jews in the only one God. The first statement declares this monotheistic
faith, "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." The Shema
was supposed to be known by heart by every Jew and was to be recited as many
times as possible during the day. The following statements require that since
God is one, he deserves our wholesome love and that this love should also be
extended to our neighbors.
The
Shema is presented in today's first and Gospel readings. It is not only
the command which rules Israel’s life, but also the life of every true
Christian. The faithful Jew recites this passage morning, noon and night, and
in prayer carries the text literally before the eyes, on the hands and on the
doorposts of the house, so that one is always aware of the most important
loyalty in life. This is a symbol that love of God must dominate all our
actions and thoughts; it must be always in our minds and thoughts and must be
the guide of all our deeds and motivations. God is a God of love and warmth of
the heart, not a God of threats or compulsion. To serve God is a joy and
happiness, bringing light and colour into our lives. If God is not in our lives
and thoughts, we are the poorer for it and lack not only truth but also the
warmth of an unspeakable, personal friendship.
Jesus
in the Gospel quotes the Shema directly from Deuteronomy and adds also the love
of neighbor from Leviticus putting the love of God and love of neighbor on the
same level. This was quite shocking for the Jews because they regarded the love
of God not to be compared with anything. Love of the neighbor was inferior, but
Jesus brings it today on the same level with the love of God. Why? What is the
logic behind?
Without
the love of neighbor, then our love of God is nothing. Saint John in his first
letter tells us that "No one who fails to love the brother or sister whom
he can see, can love God whom he has not seen" (1John 4:20). This means
that, as Christians, we need to always show that we love God, and this can only
be shown by loving our neighbors. Jesus was the first one to show love of God
to his people even dying for us on the cross, the love beyond compare. This is
what is expected of us as Christians, for others will know that we are
Christians by our love. Our love for God should inspire us to love our
neighbors as we love ourselves.
What
does the Shema teach you today? First you need to have the strong faith
in the only one God. Having faith in God should and must lead you to love God
above all things with all our mind, soul, Spirit and with all our everything.
This love for God can only be shown when we love our neighbors as we love our neighbours.
When you love, you need to give and sacrifice for what you love. But there is
nothing you can give to God since God has a totality of everything, he is the
fullness and the perfection of everything. Therefore, the best way to love God is
to be obedient to him and his commandments, living according is will. This is expressed
in the love of neighbour and the best way to love your neighbour is charity. So,
when Jesus says we love our neighbours he is telling us to do charity to them.
This
is the truth that should guide our way of action and spirituality as
Christians. Reflect today on how you have put the Shema in action.
Let us pray
Lord God, I believe in you as the only One Holy God, and I love you above everything with my whole life. Help me always to put my love for you in action by loving my neighbors as I love myself. Amen
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