November 3, 2024: Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 (Carmelite Lectionary)

One of the scribes came up to Jesus and asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel; God, Our God is one; and you shall love the Most High God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and 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.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that God is one, and there is no other; and to love the Most High with all our heart, and with all our understanding, and with all our strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the realm of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.

Reflection

Every day I reflect on the Scriptures and especially the Gospel. Often the Gospel is straightforward. Jesus means what he says! 

Today he tells us that love is central to any believer’s life. I cannot be a faithful disciple of his and avoid this fundamental commandment. Loving God and loving my neighbor are on a par!  Wow! How challenging is that? 

And, who is my neighbor? My neighbor is anyone and all those persons in my life on any given day, whether they are next to me at the dinner table or half way around the world during a newscast. 

The test of my faithfulness to this command is how it is expressed in my words and actions. So, before I say an unloving word or avoid a loving action, I need to think. Yes, think! I need to pause and follow that old adage, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” This may seem trite, and it is, and it is so helpful!

Action

Try this week to think before you speak or act, especially in those situations when reacting negatively would come naturally. Our words can make all the difference, for good or for ill. So can our deeds.