Daily Readings - Thu Jun 08 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of love and fidelity, both in our relationship with God and in our relationships with one another. In the first reading from the Book of Tobit, we witness the story of Tobias and Sarah, a young couple whose union is blessed by God. The narrative emphasizes the importance of prayer, trust in God’s providence, and the sacredness of marriage. Tobias and Sarah’s commitment to one another is not merely a human arrangement but a divine vocation, sealed in faith and strengthened by their prayers together. This passage reminds us that our relationships are not just earthly endeavors but are deeply connected to our spiritual lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the two greatest commandments: loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. These commandments are not separate but intertwined, for we cannot truly love God without loving those around us. The scribe in the Gospel recognizes the truth of Jesus’ words, acknowledging that love for God and neighbor surpasses even the sacrifices of the Temple. This exchange highlights the simplicity and profundity of God’s will for us: to live in love.
These readings call us to examine how we live out the commandments of love in our daily lives. Like Tobias and Sarah, we are invited to trust in God’s plan and to seek His blessing in all our relationships. Like the scribe, we are reminded that love is the heart of the law. Let us ask ourselves: Do we prioritize love in our interactions with others? Do we seek to serve and care for those around us? May we, like Tobias and Sarah, pray together and build our lives on the foundation of faith and love. And may we, like the scribe, draw closer to the kingdom of God by living out the truth of these commandments.