Daily Readings - Fri Mar 12 2021
Hosea
1Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.2Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, "Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.3Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy."4I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.5I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;6his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon.7They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.8O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
Mark
28And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?"29Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'31The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."32And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.33And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."34And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful invitations to deepen our relationship with God and with one another. The first reading from Hosea speaks of a people called to return to the Lord with sincerity and humility. Hosea urges Israel to let go of their idolatrous ways and to seek God’s mercy with open hearts. The prophet paints a vivid picture of God’s desire to heal and restore his people, promising that those who turn to him will find life and flourishing under his care. This passage reminds us that conversion is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of turning back to God, trusting in his love and mercy.
The Gospel reading from Mark complements this message as Jesus engages with a scribe who asks about the greatest commandment. Jesus responds by affirming the Shema from Deuteronomy, declaring that the first and foremost commandment is to love God with our entire being—heart, soul, mind, and strength. He then adds the second commandment, to love our neighbor as ourselves, emphasizing that these two are inseparable. The scribe, recognizing the truth in Jesus’ words, acknowledges that loving God and neighbor is even greater than ritual sacrifices. Jesus praises the scribe’s understanding and encourages him, saying he is not far from the kingdom of God. This exchange reminds us that our faith is not just about rules or rituals but about living out the profound truth of love.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we prioritize love in our lives. Are we seeking God with our whole hearts, or are we distracted by lesser things? Are we truly loving our neighbors, especially those who may be difficult or marginalized? The good news is that God’s mercy is always available to us, inviting us to return and to live in a way that reflects his love. As we go about our daily lives, let us strive to embody this twofold commandment: to love God deeply and to love others as we love ourselves. In doing so, we not only draw closer to God but also become instruments of his healing and grace in the world.