Today, to the fundamental question about the “first commandment”, Jesus Christ responds “Law in hand”. In Luke 10:26, the Lord answers by asking the scribe “what is written in the Law?” He gave the exact answer. However, Jesus Christ, gradually revealing His own mystery, brought “the answer” to unsuspected horizons.

A characteristic theme of John’s writings is love. 1st The Source of love is God: “God is love” (1Jn 4:8) (John is the only New Testament author who gives this “definition” of God). 2nd God —through the incarnation and death of His Son Jesus Christ— has shown His love was not limited to oral statements; rather He truly committed and “paid” personally. 3rd Contemplating this “excess” of love the Christian is called to an active response, summarized in the “new commandment”.

—In the Old Testament, the normative criterion was taken from man (“as yourself”). In the New Testament Jesus presents as a motive and norm of our love, He Himself: “As I have loved you”.