Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 3, 2024

Date: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Mark 12:28b-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 recounts Jesus’ response to a scribe’s question concerning the “first” or most crucial commandment. Jesus responds with the all-encompassing love of the LORD and then with love of neighbor and self. Jesus’ response reminds us that strong and loving relationship with the LORD, with others, and with ourselves provide both the purpose as well as fruit of our being.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Where is love in my scheme of life? Is it so crucial to me that it cannot be missed by others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we lift our minds, our hearts, our souls with all our strength to You in praise. Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD God, are You. All that is good flows from You and your love. We thank You for our lives, for the lives of our loved ones, for our world in which we live, and for the promise of life in abundance with You. Our hearts ache in sorrow for our sins and for those times that we strayed from You and from your love. We look upon the crucifix in our home and in our worship space and realize your sacrifice was necessary because of our sins. We beg for mercy and for your forgiving and transforming love. Be with us, LORD, as we continue our journeys of faith in You, buoyed by the hope of your promise and your trustworthiness, and fueled by your creative, healing and transforming love. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.