In this Gospel passage, we see Jesus distill the essence of God’s commandments into two interconnected calls to love: to love God completely and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. This teaching resonates deeply with the spirituality of Fr. Francisco Palau, the Carmelite priest and mystic, who emphasized a life of communion and love that unites the soul with God and with others.

Fr. Palau’s spirituality centers on the concept of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ, where each individual is called to embody love through unity and mutual care. For Palau, love of God and neighbor are inseparable; they are one movement of the soul that reaches out to embrace God in prayer and flows naturally into service and compassion for others. He believed that true love of God leads to recognizing and honoring God’s presence in others, particularly in the marginalized and the suffering.

In this passage, Jesus affirms that the greatest commandment is not about rituals or sacrifices but about the inner transformation of one’s heart. This reflects Palau’s own conviction that true spirituality is not confined to outward acts but requires a deep, personal relationship with God that spills over into every aspect of one’s life. Palau taught that by loving God with one’s whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, a person finds strength to love their neighbor, and in doing so, they contribute to the unity and
well-being of the whole Church.

The scribe’s response, acknowledging that love of God and neighbor is more valuable than offerings or sacrifices, shows an understanding that aligns with Palau’s insight: authentic love transcends ritual and connects directly to the heart of God. When Jesus tells the scribe that he is “not far from the kingdom of God,” it is a reminder that the Kingdom is near whenever we love with this radical, wholehearted love. Fr. Palau’s life invites us to bring this commandment to fruition by being active instruments of God’s love in the world, making God’s Kingdom present among us through genuine, self-giving relationships.

In living out these two commandments, we are not merely following rules but joining in the life of the Trinity, a life of communion that encompasses both heaven and earth.

Camille Rose Tacazon-Durante