Greetings on this the Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Readings: Hosea 14:2-10; Psalm 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17; Mark 12:28-34
Summary
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.”
(Mk 12:28b-31)
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.”
(Mk 12:32-33)
Reflection
And when Jesus saw that [he] answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God. (Mk 12:34).
“Not far” – common theological interpretation of the phrase indicates that Jesus is noting that the Scribe understands and yet still needs to repent (not far = still outside). This correlates well with our first reading: Return, Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have stumbled because of your iniquity (Hos 14:2).
Yet I offer another understanding.
I’m right here. In front of you. The Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is not a place but a person, not a contract with debts and credits, but a meeting of hearts.
Love the Lord.
Love your neighbor.
This encounter is given in all three Synoptic Gospels. Mark gives it the full weight.
Matthew – omits the Scribe’s response.
Luke – trims the Scribe’s response.
Personal Reflection
I do not believe for a minute that any Scribe, layperson, priest or deacon can possibly have this dialog with the Lord and not be reflecting the interior state of the heart. Wanting to be in the presence of the Lord and love the way the Lord loves. The personalization of the engagement is the key difference of the accounts.
It shares its core with Mark 10. Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Mk 10:21).
Today, we don’t answer Jesus merely with the Catechism, Canon Law or Ecclesial regulation. We must answer from the heart.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031326.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry