The Gospel for the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time is taken from Mark 12:28b-34. This passage invites us to delve into the essence of our faith and the core of our relationship with God and one another
In this exchange, the scribe approaches Jesus with a sincere question: “Which commandment is the first of all?” This question is not merely academic; it reflects a deep yearning to understand the heart of the Law. Jesus responds with clarity and conviction, quoting the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “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.”
Here, Jesus emphasizes that love is the foundation of our relationship with God. To love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength means to engage every aspect of our being in this relationship. Our hearts must be open and willing, our souls must be attuned to His presence, our minds must seek understanding of His will, and our strength must be dedicated to living out this love in action.
But Jesus does not stop there. He adds a second commandment, which is equally important: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18b). This addition is crucial, for it reveals that our love for God cannot be separated from our love for others. The two commandments are connected, intertwined; one cannot truly love God without also loving his neighbor. As the apostle John said in his first epistle, “Whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). This radical call to love challenges us to expand our understanding of community and compassion, urging us to see the face of Christ in everyone we encounter.
The scribe, recognizing the wisdom in Jesus’ words, affirms his response, stating that these commandments are “worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” This acknowledgment is significant. It suggests that the scribe understands that mere ritual observance is insufficient if it is not rooted in genuine love. Catholics are obliged to worship God, but He desires our hearts, not just our outward compliance.
In Jesus’ reply, we see a profound truth: the greatest commandment is not just about rules but about relationship. It is about entering into a life-changing love that shapes our identity and affects our actions. When we love God wholeheartedly, we are compelled to love others, to serve, to forgive, and to build a community reflective of God’s kingdom.
As we reflect on this passage, we should ask ourselves: How can I embody this commandment of love in my daily life? Am I truly loving God with my whole being? Am I extending that love to my neighbors, especially those who are difficult to love?
In a world often divided by strife and misunderstanding, our call as Catholic Christians is to be agents of love and reconciliation. We are invited to break down barriers, to listen with compassion, and to act with kindness. And that’s no nonsense.
Let us carry with us the words of Jesus – to love God and to love our neighbor – so that our actions may reflect this love, and we may strive to be a community that embodies the very heart of the Gospel. Amen.