FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT MARCH 12, 2021

MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,

“Which is the first of all the commandments?”

Jesus replied, “The first is this:

Hear, O Israel!

The Lord our God is Lord alone!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul,

with all your mind,

and with all your strength.

The second is this:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.

You are right in saying,

He is One and there is no other than he.

And 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.”

And 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 questions.

REFLECTION: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

What is it that really matters in life? What is really worth pursuing?

There were over 600 commandments and the scribe wanted Jesus to tell him which was the most important. The ten commandments were part of the 600+. Jesus, in His meekness and humility, summed the commandments into a relationship--love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. And the second commandment with love your neighbor as yourself.

The love of God with all one’s being overflows into a love for those whom God loves, our neighbor.

It is that simple. But is it really? We are like little children; still in need of instruction and guidance. We can't just simply say, "Okay, I will love." We need to turn to Jesus and let Him teach us how to love. The law given to Moses contains it all. The first three commandments are for loving God and the remaining seven commandments are for loving our neighbor. Memorize them!!

Will we recognize the Kingdom of God when we are not far from it?

God bless you