Mark 12: 28-34
The Greatest Commandment
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Love God, Love neighbor, four words, the Gospel in a nutshell, the task of a life time. One of those "easier said than done" commands, yet this is our call as disciples of Jesus, and especially during Lent, are we encouraged to put this "Greatest of commandments" into practice. May we keep trying, keeping it by simple acts of kindness, an encouraging word, or simply by "being there" for another. If all Christians lived this way how true the saying "See how they love one another", and how peace-filled, love-filled, our world would be! It's worth the effort. Let's give it a heroic effort today and in the days ahead.
Bro. Rene
Lord God, draw us in! Draw us
closer to your Kingdom! Help us to understanding rightly that we were
made to love you and our neighbor, in all we think, say and do. May this
Lent be for us a true season of renewal. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Ricky Bevington, C.S.C.
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