Daily Readings - Sun Nov 03 2024
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 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.