Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 8, 2024

Date:  Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent

Scripture Text:  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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today is taken from Mark and recounts Jesus’ response to a scribe’s question concerning the first or greatest of the commandments. Jesus stressed that love of the LORD with all our might is the first and that we are also to love one another as well as ourselves. The scribe was pleased by Jesus’ answer and even suggested that these two commandments of love are “worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Jesus saw from the scribe’s response that he was a man of strong faith.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I seek to love others as much as I seek the love of others? Where is my relationship with the LORD in my life? How much importance do I really place on it? How much time do I truly spend on strengthening my relationship with the LORD? With others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You are love itself. How could we believe that anything short of authentic love would please You?  Because of love, You sent your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us, to reveal your unfathomable and merciful love to us, and to cooperate with that love by offering himself selflessly for our sins even though He was sinless. Love is because You are and we are because of You and your love. Send your Spirit to stir within us, to clear our minds and hearts of hate, and to purify and increase our love for You and for one another. Grant that we may set down hate and work to unite ourselves to You and unite ourselves as your daughters and sons in authentic and life-giving love. May we, because of love for You, be willing to pick up our crosses and follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son as we journey to life in abundance with You. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.