Sunday Sermon - 3 November 2024 – XXXI Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)- Rev. Dr. Patrick Mathias SDB

 

                                  The First and Greatest Commandment

Sunday 3 November 2024 – XXXI Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Mass Readings: Deut 6:2-6   Ps 18   Heb 7:23-28   Mk 12:28-34

Key Verse to Meditate: 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' (Mk 12:30).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Liturgy of the Word brings us to reflect on the heart of God’s commandments, emphasizing the importance of love as the core of our relationship with God and others. Today’s readings touch upon the first commandment of the Law, calling us to love God with all we are and to extend that love to our neighbor.

In the first reading, we encounter the Shema prayer from the Book of Deuteronomy (6:4-9), an essential declaration of faith in Israel. For devout Jews, these words are central to daily life, recited every day as a testament to the foundational truth of Israel’s faith. The Shema commands us to love God fully — with all our heart, soul, and might. This command to love God with our whole being was intended to keep the Israelites mindful of God's unique and powerful presence, especially after witnessing His mighty acts in history, like their liberation from Egypt.

The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (7:24) contrasts the priesthood of Christ with that of the Levitical priests. While the Levitical priesthood was limited, Christ’s priesthood is eternal and unchanging. Jesus is our High Priest, whose role surpasses all previous priests, making a perfect, unrepeatable offering to God. His priesthood, being eternal, effectively bridges the gap between us and God, offering redemption and grace that is everlasting.

The Gospel reading presents an encounter between Jesus and a scribe who asks, “Which commandment is the first of all?” (Mk 12:28). Jesus’ response summarizes the essence of the entire Law and the Prophets: to love God above all and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two commands are inseparable, forming the basis of a life rooted in genuine faith and compassion.

First Reading-Hear, O Israel:

 The Shema prayer begins with “Hear, O Israel,” inviting the entire congregation to recognize and proclaim the uniqueness of God. This commandment calls Israel not only to acknowledge but also to internalize God’s presence and His singularity. Their experience of God’s supremacy- especially over the gods of Egypt - helps establish a profound, living relationship with Him. God is not merely an abstract figure but the active Redeemer who guides, protects, and loves His people.

The commandment to “love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deut 6:5) is central to Israel's faith. This love requires an all-encompassing devotion, engaging one’s heart, soul, and strength. To love God this way involves a commitment that goes beyond emotions, including the discipline to place God’s will and commands above all else in life. It encompasses the entire person — conscious thoughts, feelings, and actions- and calls for an active, intentional love.

Though they did not see God directly, the Israelites saw the manifestations of His power and His unfailing commitment to them. As a response, these commandments were to be inscribed on their hearts, shaping every aspect of their lives (Deut 6:6). They were also instructed to teach these commandments to their children (Deut 6:7), ensuring that God's love and commandments became an enduring legacy. This practice made God's law a constant topic of conversation, guiding their interactions and actions at home and in the community, from the beginning of each day to its end.

The Second Reading: The Permanent Priesthood of Christ

Today’s second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews highlights the unique and eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ, contrasting it with the temporary nature of the Levitical priesthood. Unlike the Levitical priests, whose roles were limited by mortality, Christ’s priesthood endures forever, as foreshadowed in Psalm 110:4: “You are a priest forever.” The author emphasizes the distinction between the “many” who served as high priests under the old system and the “one High Priest,” Jesus Christ, whose priesthood is both complete and eternal.

According to the historian Josephus, a total of eighty-three high priests served from the time of Aaron until the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 A.D. Despite the succession of priests, the Levitical system was often interrupted by death, requiring constant replacement to continue their ministry. This temporary nature was contrasted by Christ, who, unlike these priests, is the eternal High Priest, His priesthood remaining unbroken and His sacrificial offering everlasting.

He Has Offered Himself

As the High Priest, Jesus lives forever, like Melchizedek, the priest and king who was without beginning or end. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus made a single, unrepeatable offering for the redemption of humanity. This one-time sacrifice is the culmination of His priestly ministry, a perfect act of love and obedience that surpassed the repeated offerings of the Levitical priests. By dying on the cross, Christ fulfilled and completed the need for daily sacrifices, as foreshadowed in the Old Testament rituals (cf. Ex 20:30; Lev 16:6-10).

Christ’s death and resurrection secure an enduring role as our intercessor, who “lives forever to intercede for us” (cf. Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). Unlike the Levitical priests, Jesus’ priestly ministry is ongoing and complete, bridging heaven and earth as He intercedes before the throne of God for all who turn to Him in faith: “But He holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able for all time to save those who approach God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:24-25). In Christ, we have a constant intercessor, one who draws us into a relationship with God.

The Gospel Reading

After reflecting on the tenth chapter of Mark for several Sundays, we now turn to the twelfth chapter, moving past Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mk 11:1-11), the cleansing of the temple (Mk 11:15-20), and the debate about His authority (Mk 11:27-33). Chapter twelve opens with a series of challenging questions posed to Jesus, including the question about paying taxes (Mk 12:13-17) and a debate on the resurrection (Mk 12:18-27). In today’s Gospel reading (Mk 12:28-34), we encounter a Scribe approaching Jesus to ask, “Which is the first and greatest commandment of God’s Law?” These interactions reveal Jesus’ wisdom, His role as a beloved teacher, and His ability to teach the core truths of faith.

The Tenth Chapter of Mark

Throughout the Sundays of October, we have reflected on passages from Mark’s tenth chapter, observing a range of individuals approaching Jesus with their questions and requests. On the Twenty-Seventh Sunday, we saw the Pharisees question Jesus on the legality of divorce (Mk 10:2-16). The following week, the Gospel introduced the rich young man, who earnestly asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17). Jesus, loving him, explained that despite his adherence to the commandments, he still lacked one thing: the call to surrender his wealth, give to the poor, and follow Him. Unable to give up his possessions, the young man left saddened, choosing wealth over discipleship (Mk 10:21). Similarly, the Scribe in today’s reading also lacks only one thing to enter the kingdom of God: a complete, heartfelt adherence to Jesus. To fulfill the greatest commandment, an intellectual understanding is not enough; one must be open to God’s love, for “this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son” (1 Jn 4:10).

On the Twenty-Ninth Sunday, we read about the sons of Zebedee, James and John, asking Jesus for places of honor in His kingdom (Mk 10:37). The Thirtieth Sunday presented Bartimaeus, the blind man from Jericho, crying out to Jesus with a simple yet profound faith, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:47). His faith-filled plea, “My teacher, let me see again” (Mk 10:51), led to his healing and conversion as a follower of Christ. In each encounter, Jesus responds with understanding and compassion, directing each seeker toward the deeper truth of God’s kingdom.

Which is the First Commandment?

Today’s Gospel reading presents a Scribe questioning Jesus about the greatest commandment. Jesus answers by summarizing the whole of the Law: to love God above all else and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. When the Scribe acknowledges this teaching, Jesus recognizes his wisdom and tells him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mk 12:34). Jesus’ response highlights that the kingdom is not merely an abstract place; it is embodied in His presence.

Through this exchange, the Scribe grasps that Jesus has elevated the commandment of love to encompass both love for God and love for others, revealing the essence of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ presence as the fulfilment of God’s law shows that true discipleship requires a whole-hearted embrace of love- not just as duty but as a response to God’s unfathomable love for us.

Right Question to the Right Person: Jesus the Teacher

In today’s Gospel, we see the Pharisees and Herodians approach Jesus with a question intended to entrap Him: “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You show no partiality but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Mk 12:14). Even Nicodemus, a leader among the Pharisees, addressed Jesus as a ‘teacher’ when he came to Him, saying, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God” (Jn 3:2).

The scribes, often associated with the Pharisees, were regarded as experts in the law. This particular Scribe likely wanted to test Jesus’ knowledge of the Law and see if He understood the priorities of Jewish teaching. So, he approached Jesus and asked, “Which commandment is the first of all?” (Mk 12:28). Jesus, as a Jewish Rabbi, would have known to cite the Shema Israel, a central prayer recited at the beginning and end of each day: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deut 6:4-5).

Jesus: The Divine Presence Among Us

Yet, Jesus was not merely a teacher; He was the very presence of God among the people. Through His teachings, miracles, and moments of prayer, He showed that loving God was His ultimate priority: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to complete His work” (Jn 4:34). Jesus didn’t just know the Shema-He embodied it. For Him, the commandment to love God was not just a law but a lived reality, exemplified in everything He did.

The Commandment to Love God

The Scribe only asked Jesus for the foremost commandment, yet Jesus offered a second commandment from Leviticus: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18). By combining Deuteronomy 6:4-5 with Leviticus 19:18, Jesus highlighted the inseparability of loving God and loving neighbor.

For the Pharisees and Scribes, fulfilling the commandment to love God was often seen as an end in itself, and they stopped there. Jesus, however, reminded them of another dimension-that true love for God must overflow into love for others. For the religious leaders, concern for neighbours, particularly for the poor and marginalized, often took a backseat. Yet Jesus made it clear that being merciful toward the downtrodden is integral to loving God. This call to compassion and mercy was a struggle for many who saw God’s law in rigid terms, missing its call to active love.

Points for Personal Reflection

Loving God and Neighbor as Oneself

Loving God and neighbor as oneself is a journey grounded in Jesus and His teachings. Our first and foremost love should be for God, who has given us life and every blessing in Christ. Yet, if this love doesn’t extend to compassion for those in need, it lacks purity and depth. When we genuinely love God, we cannot turn away from our neighbor. This unity of love is a challenge but also an invitation to anchor ourselves firmly in God. As the liturgy reminds us this Sunday, the two commandments are inseparable: “Whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4:20). Those who love and trust in Jesus integrate the vertical love for God and horizontal love for others in a way that restores inner harmony.

Living by the Heart

To love God first and above all is to live authentically from the heart. This is a commitment, transcending fleeting affections or emotions. Our hearts are designed by God to love, and, as St. Augustine said, they remain incomplete without the love of God. If we’re not vigilant, our hearts can lead us astray, turning us away from true devotion (Deut 11:17; Is 44:20). We need to guard our hearts diligently against deception (Prov 4:23), as Jesus reminded the religious people of His day: it’s possible to honor God with our lips while our hearts remain distant from Him (Mt 15:7-9). True love finds its source in God, who knows and searches the heart (Ps 139:23; Lk 16:15) and who measures love by its sincerity (1 Sam 16:7). Living by the heart means loving the Lord in the right measure and in the right way.

Search me, O God and Know My Heart:

Through obedience to Christ, we taste even now the fruits of His saving work, experiencing the profound effects of His sacrifice. As our eternal High Priest, Jesus’ presence brings continuous grace and hope, inviting us to draw close to God through Him. This is the essence of our faith and the assurance that we, as believers, have a Savior who is ever-present, guiding and sustaining us with His unending love and mercy.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus redefines the path to God’s kingdom. Love for God cannot be separated from love for others, and our fidelity to God is best shown through our compassion and mercy toward those around us.

This Sunday, may we recognize the closeness of God’s kingdom in Jesus, who invites us to love with all our heart, soul, and strength. By following His example, we are drawn closer to the kingdom and experience the fullness of life in Him.  Let us take this Sunday’s readings to heart, seeking to love God wholly and to reflect that love in how we treat others, inspired by Jesus’ own perfect example of love and sacrifice. May the words of today’s Liturgy inspire us to deepen our commitment to God, to love with our whole selves, and to cherish each encounter with our neighbor as an opportunity to express that divine love.

May we embrace this calling, seeking to love God above all by serving those in need. Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection

Do I truly love God above all else?

What place does God hold in my life?

Do I follow God’s commandments faithfully?

Does my love for God inspire me to love my neighbor as myself?

 

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