Greetings on this the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Dt 6:2-6; Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51; Heb 7:23-28; Mk 12:28b-34
Summary
Sh’ma Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad (Deut 6:4).
Reflection
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.”
Personal Reflection
Soon I will enter my retirement from intense pastoral care as minister to pastoral care as simply a lover of Jesus. I suppose that can be read many different ways and in our current age most uncharitably, but that is not my problem simply an observation. Without the requirements of assignment and schedule, continue the work of building up the Kingdom. You shall love your neighbor as yourself shall be my motto and outward expression of my heartfelt love of Jesus.
Sacred Readings Liturgical Calendar
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm
First Reading
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.”
Responsorial
I love you, Lord, my strength.
Second Reading
Jesus, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them.
Gospel Acclamation (See Jn 14:23)
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord; and my father will love him and we will come to him.
Gospel
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.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry