Daily Readings - Fri Mar 12 2021
Hosea
1O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.2Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.3Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.5I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.7They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.8Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Mark
28And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.32And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:33And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.34And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
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.