Economic, social and political order

Year B – Sunday 31  

Reading: Deuteronomy 6:2–6; Hebrews 7: 23–28; Mark 12: 28b–34

Moses proposes to his people a new and novel social order, very different from those prevalent amongst other peoples. He proposes not to have human rulers at all, or political hierarchies; the only ruler will be God and God’s law. This law will not be binding because it is God’s law but by the consent accorded to it by the people. This is the kind of ‘obedience’ Moses proposes: a compliance to a word given freely. In turn, this type of organisation is presented as the model for the people’s own social cohesion: a solidity of free consent and trust. Moses believes that this order is the only one that can guarantee happiness, peace, justice and, indeed, prosperity; any other would be, in fact, a disorder.

The Epistle to the Hebrews also suggests that hierarchical strata should be abolished amongst God’s people. This social order should be followed by Christians because of Jesus’ ascendancy. Only Jesus is Lord and Master; none other.

Jesus reiterates Moses’ proposal and instructions. He goes, however, one step further: One should love one neighbour (which is identical to love of God) ‘as oneself’. As opposed to an egoistic attitude, an authentic love of self implies opening oneself up to others; accepting a social order, such as that proposed by Moses and corroborated by the Epistle to the Hebrews, which truely respects the freedom and dignity of every single person.