Daily Readings - Sun Nov 03 2024
Mark
28And one of the scribes, who had heard them arguing, drew near to him. And seeing that he had answered them well, he questioned him as to which was the first commandment of all29And Jesus answered him: "For the first commandment of all is this: ‘Listen, O Israel. The Lord your God is one God30And you shall love the Lord your God from your whole heart, and from your whole soul, and from your whole mind, and from your whole strength. This is the first commandment.31But the second is similar to it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.32And the scribe said to him: Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth that there is one God, and there is no other beside him33and that he should be loved from the whole heart, and from the whole understanding, and from the whole soul, and from the whole strength. And to love one’s neighbor as one’s self is greater than all holocausts and sacrifices.34And Jesus, seeing that he had responded wisely, said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that, no one dared to question him
Sermon
In today's Gospel, we witness a meaningful encounter between Jesus and a scribe who approaches Him after hearing His wise responses to others. The scribe poses a question about the greatest commandment, prompting Jesus to recite the Shema from Deuteronomy, emphasizing love for God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus then adds a second commandment from Leviticus, instructing us to love our neighbor as ourselves. The scribe, in agreement, acknowledges the truth in Jesus' words, and Jesus commends him, noting he is close to the kingdom of God.
This passage occurs in the context of Jesus' time in Jerusalem, where He engages with various religious leaders, often facing challenging questions. Here, however, the interaction is uniquely positive, highlighting the harmony between Jesus' teachings and the scribe's understanding. The two commandments Jesus cites are central to His message, illustrating that love for God and neighbor are inseparable. This duality underscores that true faith is not merely about rituals but about the expression of love in our actions and attitudes.
In our daily lives, this teaching calls us to prioritize love in every interaction. It invites us to reflect on how we can demonstrate love for God and our neighbors through our choices and actions. Jesus' commendation of the scribe reminds us that living out these commandments brings us closer to God's kingdom. Let us examine our hearts and actions, ensuring they align with the love that Jesus taught, recognizing that this love is the cornerstone of our faith and our path to a deeper relationship with God.