Friday 8 March 2024

Today is Friday the 8th of March, in the 3rd week of Lent.

Paul Zach sings, ‘The Greatest Commandment’. As we prepare to hear this scripture on the “greatest commandment” today, how does this song speak to you?

Love the Lord your God
With all your heart and soul and mind
And love your neighbor as yourself
Love the Lord your God
With all your heart and soul and mind
And love your neighbor as yourself
Let us be known, let us be known
By the way we love
Let us be known, let us be known
By the way we love
Love the Lord your God
With all your heart and soul and mind
And love your neighbor as yourself
Love the Lord your God
With all your heart and soul and mind
And love your neighbor as yourself
Love the Lord your God (Let us be known)
With all your heart and soul and mind (Let us be known)
And love your neighbor as yourself (By the way we love)
Love, love, love, the greatest commandment is
Love, love, love, the greatest commandment is
Love, love, love, the greatest commandment is love




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 12: 28-34

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?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 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.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ 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”; and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question.

From all the commandments and guidelines, rules and regulations in the Hebrew Bible, Jesus selects two linked ones as supremely important. What do you make of his choice?

It sounds as if the scribe already knew the answer to his own question. Why was it important nevertheless for him to ask it?

This way of understanding calls you to love God, your neighbour, and yourself. Which of these do you find most challenging at the moment, and why?

Unusually, perhaps, this scribe isn’t attacking Jesus. As you hear the passage again, concentrate on the feelings shown in the way that Jesus and the scribe relate to each other.

As the prayer closes, hear Jesus repeat to you his last words to the scribe: “You are not far from the kingdom of God”. Respond in whatever way seems best to you.

You have given all to me
To you, Lord, I return it
Everything is Yours
Do with it what You will
Give me only Your love and Your grace
That is enough for me
Amen