Daily Readings - Fri Mar 12 2021
Hosea
1Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!2Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.3Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion."4"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.5I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;6his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.7Men will dwell again in his shade. He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.8O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me."9Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
Mark
28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.30Love 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: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."32"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared 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.