Gospel Reflections - Mark 12:28-34 - March 17, 2023 - Friday of the Third Week of Lent

 Gospel Reflections - Mark 12:28-34 - March 17, 2023 - Friday of the Third Week of Lent

Gospel

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.

Reflections

In Mark 12:28-34, a scribe approached Jesus and asked him which commandment is the greatest. Jesus answered him with the two greatest commandments, to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself.

As Catholics, we are called to live out these two commandments daily. We are called to love God above all things, putting Him first in our lives and seeking to know Him more deeply through prayer, sacraments, and service to others. By loving God, we are also called to love our neighbors as ourselves, treating each person with dignity and respect, and serving them with compassion and generosity.

One way to deepen our love for God and others is through the practice of the virtues, such as humility, patience, kindness, and forgiveness. By cultivating these virtues in our lives, we become more like Christ and can better serve those around us.

But we also know that we are imperfect and often fall short of living up to these commandments. That is why we must constantly turn to God in repentance and seek His forgiveness, relying on His grace to help us grow in holiness and love.

As we reflect on this Gospel passage, let us renew our commitment to living out the two greatest commandments and ask God for the grace to love Him and others more deeply each day.

Prayer

Dear God,

As we reflect on Mark 12:28-34, we are reminded of the importance of loving you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, as well as loving our neighbors as ourselves.

We pray for the grace to always put you first in our lives, to seek your will in all that we do, and to obey your commands. Help us to love you with all our being and to cultivate a deep and abiding relationship with you.

We also pray for the strength to show love to our neighbors, to be kind and compassionate, and to prioritize the well-being of others. Grant us the courage to reach out to those who need our help, to forgive those who wrong us, and to spread your light and love wherever we go.

May we always remember that these two commandments are the foundation of all that you have asked of us. May we live each day with them at the forefront of our minds, and may we bring honor and glory to your holy name in all that we do.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

CatholicSongbook.com

 Gospel Reflections - Mark 12:28-34 - March 17, 2023 - Friday of the Third Week of Lent