The Sunday Gospel [November 4, 2012]
Mark 12:28-34
28One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” 29Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, 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.” 32The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ 33And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34And when Jesus saw that [he] answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more.
Reflection
The year is drawing to a close and we are summoned to declare as a people where we stand before God. We are to fear God, listen and obey the commandments, with love that is all encompassing. We stand with Jesus our priest/leader so that we approach God, with Jesus interceding on our behalf. Jesus is our sacrifice that makes us holy before God, with him. How devotedly do we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, resources, body and strength that endures? And do we love our neighbor/enemy/friend with the same passion? Then today, we will hear Jesus tell us that we are not far from the kingdom of God – God wants that practical love more than sacrifice. God wants us as a people.
Reflection Credits: Megan McKenna, Theologian, Tasting the word of God
Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).
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