Reflection on Mark 12:28b-34 ~
“Which commandment is the first of all?” To love God, self, and neighbor with our heart, mind, and strength is well within touchable reality. I believe that our soul remains hidden deep within unless we willingly participate with Trinity. The Holy Spirit breaths and animates our soul together with the fundamental nature we know well into union with God. This combination of our un-separate entirety and loving neighbor places us “not far from the kingdom of God” both on earth and in Heaven here and now.
The Scribe Stood to Tempt Jesus, James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 12:28-34
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 daily Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina Mark 12:28-34 Reflection – Not Far from the Kingdom of God.
The above passage from Mark 12 in the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) used with permission.
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