Thursday 4th June 2020.
Read 2nd Timothy
2:8-15, Psalm 25:4-14, Mark 12:28-34
“When Jesus
saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom
of God.’” (Mark 12:34)
Today, a Scribe probably
feeling exhausted over the various attempts to find fault with Jesus came to
inquire about the most important thing of all. In answering him, Jesus quoted
the book of Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear,
O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD; and you shall love the LORD your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Jesus
quickly added Leviticus 19:18, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Even though Jesus quoted
texts from the Old Testament, notice that Jesus combines the commandment to
love God and the commandment to love our neighbours thereby showing us that loving
God implies loving our neighbours.
St. John would later explain
further when he said: “If any one says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he
is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love
God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20). Loving God demands that we are able
to see God in our fellow human beings not minding the colour of their skin or
where they come from.
On hearing Jesus’ response, the
Scribe added: “To love one’s neighbour as oneself is more important than burnt
offerings and sacrifices.” This is exactly the point Jesus made when He noted: “If
you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother
has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first
be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”(Matthew
5:23-24).
Jesus was so impressed with
the Scribe’s response that He said: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
If we understand the importance of loving others as we should, we cannot miss
attaining eternal life in heaven.
The words of St. Paul to
Timothy in our first reading today are worth repeating again and again. “If we
have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also
reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he
remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:11-13).
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach
me to see you and love you in my neighbours. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 9th Week
in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2nd Timothy
2:8-15, Psalm 25:4-14, Mark 12:28-34).
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