The Greatest Commandment
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
MK 12:28-34
One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, 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.
Grace Prayed For
I pray for the grace of a heart fully surrendered to my Baptismal Mission.
Reflection
Living out our Baptismal Mission requires a constant return to the source of our strength: the Word of God. In this reading, MK 12:28-34, we are challenged to see the world through the eyes of faith. Prayer: We must begin each day in conversation with the Lord. Like the figures in the Gospel, we often have questions or burdens. Bringing these to prayer allows the Holy Spirit to align our hearts with the Father’s will. It is in this silence that our mission is born. Community: Our baptism incorporates us into a body. We are not solitary agents of the Gospel. Whether we are facing ‘tenants’ who reject the message or ‘scribes’ who test us, we rely on the support and wisdom of our faith community. To incorporate this, seek out a spiritual friend this week to share the fruits of your reflection. Mission: Every encounter is an opportunity for mission. We are sent to ‘repay to God what belongs to God’—which is our very selves. Our mission is to be a living cornerstone in our families and workplaces, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel through both word and deed. By doing so, we fulfill the Great Commission and bring the light of Pentecost into the month of June.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post