FIRST READING
2nd Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 2:8-15
Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14
R. (4) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
ALLELUIA
See 2 Timothy 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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:
What is the purpose of God's law or commandments?
The Pharisees prided themselves in the knowledge of the law and their ritual
requirements. They made it a life-time practice to study the 613 precepts
of the Old Testament along with the numerous rabbinic commentaries. They
tested Jesus to see if he correctly understood the law as they did. Jesus
startled them with his profound simplicity and mastery of the law of God
and its purpose. What does God require of us? Simply that we love as he
loves! God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us. God
loved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding grace
and kindness towards us. The love of God comes first and the love of neighbor
is firmly grounded in the love of God. The more we know of God's love and
truth the more we love what he loves and reject what is hateful and contrary
to his will. What makes our love for God and his commands grow in us? Faith
in God and hope in his promises strengthens us in the love of God. They
are essential for a good relationship with God, for being united with him.
The more we know of God the more we love him and the more we love him the
greater we believe and hope in his promises. The Lord, through the gift
of the Holy Spirit, gives us a new freedom to love as he loves. Do you
allow anything to keep you from the love of God and the joy of serving
others with a generous heart? Paul the Apostle says: hope does
not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit which has been given to us (Romans 5:5). Do you know
the love which conquers all?
"We love you, O our God; and we desire to love you more and more. Grant
to us that we may love you as much as we desire, and as much as we ought.
O dearest friend, who has so loved and saved us, the thought of whom is
so sweet and always growing sweeter, come with Christ and dwell in our
hearts; that you keep a watch over our lips, our steps, our deeds, and
we shall not need to be anxious either for our souls or our bodies. Give
us love, sweetest of all gifts, which knows no enemy. Give us in our hearts
pure love, born of your love to us, that we may love others as you love
us. O most loving Father of Jesus Christ, from whom flows all love, let
our hearts, frozen in sin, cold to you and cold to others, be warmed by
this divine fire. So help and bless us in your Son." (Prayer
of Anselm, 1033-1109)
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