31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
04 November 2018
| Second reading Hebrews 7:23-28 |
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The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbour as oneself,’ – this is much more important that all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbour as oneself,’ – this is much more important that all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
By Benj Santiago
“Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might!”
The question of the scribe who asked what is the greatest commandment, is so relevant not only during Jesus' time but also in our present time. There are many religious practices, and celebrations that the Jews have observed in the past until today. The priests in Jesus' time, offered burnt offerings to please the Lord. And the present Christians also have a lot of religious practices, and observances which we all do to gain favor from God for ourselves and for the generations ahead of us. Practices like fasting, penitence, and sacrifices. All these are good to do but is not the first in God's list.
Jesus in today’s Gospel according to Mark, quoted what was written in the Book of Deuteronomy . The first commandment is simply to “Love God with all our heart, mind, soul and might!” And Jesus went on to add, “Love your neighbor as your self”.
We have been a people soaked in religious celebrations. We have just concluded the Month of the Rosary and this month we are remembering our departed loved ones. Every week, we go to church for Mass. Have these occasions made us more loving in the sight of God and of others? Have these transformed us to become more attuned to God's will? Remember, it is not the amount of religious practices that would matter in the end. It is how much we loved!
Prayer
“Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might!”
The question of the scribe who asked what is the greatest commandment, is so relevant not only during Jesus' time but also in our present time. There are many religious practices, and celebrations that the Jews have observed in the past until today. The priests in Jesus' time, offered burnt offerings to please the Lord. And the present Christians also have a lot of religious practices, and observances which we all do to gain favor from God for ourselves and for the generations ahead of us. Practices like fasting, penitence, and sacrifices. All these are good to do but is not the first in God's list.
Jesus in today’s Gospel according to Mark, quoted what was written in the Book of Deuteronomy . The first commandment is simply to “Love God with all our heart, mind, soul and might!” And Jesus went on to add, “Love your neighbor as your self”.
We have been a people soaked in religious celebrations. We have just concluded the Month of the Rosary and this month we are remembering our departed loved ones. Every week, we go to church for Mass. Have these occasions made us more loving in the sight of God and of others? Have these transformed us to become more attuned to God's will? Remember, it is not the amount of religious practices that would matter in the end. It is how much we loved!
Lord we pray that in everything we do, it is to love and serve You with all our heart, mind, soul, and might. We pray that our love for You will manifest in our love for others and ourselves. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen!
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