Not Far from the Kingdom – Reflection on Mark 12:28-34
To love God and our neighbors with all our heart, mind, and strength is well within our touchable reality. But this implies we have asked God for help to do so. Unless we willingly participate with Trinity, I believe our soul atrophies to be hidden deep within. We can allow the Holy Spirit to breathe and animate our soul to surface and combine with the nature of our self. Observing small “s” saints in our lives also helps in our journey. These saints in various degrees, become what is known as “in union with God.” This combination of our un-separable entirety and unconditional love places us “not far from the kingdom of God” on earth and in heaven here and now.
The Scribe Stood to Tempt Jesus by James Tissot, full-resolution painting.
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Lenten Time Reflections
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 12:28-34 – Scripture*
The First Commandment
28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33 and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 12:28-34 Reflection – Not Far from the Kingdom.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Mark 12 passage.
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