Timothy H
The first idea is as follows.
I got the idea from the sower and the seed in Mark chapter four and the question about which commandment is the greatest in Matthew 22.
In Mark the seeds are planted in different kinds of grounds. The seed grows in the good ground.
In Matthew 22 Jesus says that loving God is the first commandment, and the second one is love of neighbor and self. Then Jesus says that the law and the prophets “depend on” or “hang” or “be planted in” the first two commandments.
In Matthew 22: 40 the Greek word is *kremannymi *that is translated depends or hangs. Ceslas Spicq, O. P. says that this word has several meanings, one is to be planted in the ground. I took that interpretation and used it. The law and the prophets must be planted into or depend on love. Then using the sower and the seed, the seed is planted into good ground or love. It is the love that makes the seed grow.
The second idea is as follows.
We were made in the image and likeness of God.
God is love.
Therefore Adam and Eve were beings of love.
The third idea is as follows.
Adam and Eve were made from the ground of the earth, and that earth or ground was animated by God’s breath or Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is God’s love.
God’s love dwells in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
We are formed or made good ground by the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts.
The fourth idea is as follows.
Faith is rooted in love.
Faith works by love.
Here are some of the passages that I used.
Genesis 2: 7 then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being (RSV).
Mark 4: 20 But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold RSV).
Galatians 6: 5 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love (NKJV).
Ephesians 3: 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong (NIV).
Ephesians 3: 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (RSV)
Matthew 22: 36 Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 30 On these two commandments hang (kremannymi) all the law and the prophets.
