**Homily
for Mark 12: 28-34** (Deacon Pat)
31st Sunday Ordinary Time (Year B)
Dear brothers and sisters
in Christ, today we gather to reflect on a profound exchange between Jesus and
a scribe in the Gospel of Mark.
This passage speaks to
the heart of our faith—the greatest commandment.
As we explore this dialogue, let us open our hearts to the wisdom that Jesus offers us and consider how it applies to our lives today.
In this passage, the
scribe asks Jesus which commandment is the most important.
Jesus responds with the
Shema: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength.”
He then adds, “The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
This beautiful teaching
captures the essence of our faith.
We are called to love God fully and to express that love in our relationships with others.
Let me share a story that
illustrates this commandment in action.
A few years ago, I met a
woman named Maria at a community service event.
Maria had recently lost
her husband, and her heart was heavy with grief.
Despite her pain, she had
chosen to volunteer at a local shelter that served homeless families.
I asked her why she decided to help others when she was facing such a difficult time herself.
With tears in her eyes,
Maria shared, “I felt so lost after my husband passed away.
But when I came here, I
saw families who had nothing.
It reminded me of how
blessed I was to have had love in my life.
I realized that in my sorrow, I could still share that love with others.”
Maria poured her heart
and soul into her work at the shelter.
She not only provided
meals but also listened to stories, offered comfort, and extended her hand to
those in need.
Her love for God transformed into love for her neighbors, fulfilling the greatest commandment Jesus spoke of.
Maria’s story reminds us
that love is not just an emotion; it is a choice we make daily.
Loving God with all our
heart, soul, mind, and strength means prioritizing our relationship with Him,
seeking His presence in prayer, worship, and service.
But loving our neighbors as ourselves challenges us to step outside of our comfort zones and extend compassion, especially to those who may be suffering.
In our busy lives, it is
easy to forget this call to love.
We can get caught up in
our routines and neglect the needs of those around us.
However, Jesus invites us
to reflect on our priorities.
Are we loving God with
our whole being?
Are we seeing Christ in those we encounter each day?
To live out these
commandments, we can start small.
A smile to a stranger, a
kind word to a coworker, or reaching out to someone in distress can be powerful
acts of love.
When we show love to others, we are not only obeying Jesus’ command but also allowing His love to flow through us.
Maria taught me that our love can be a healing balm for others. Just as she found strength in giving, we too can discover that in our acts of love, our own burdens can become lighter.
As we reflect on this
passage from Mark, let us remember that the greatest commandments are not just
rules to follow; they are a way of life that can transform our hearts and the
world around us.
Let us strive to love God passionately and to love our neighbors generously.
In doing so, we fulfill
the very essence of our faith and live out the Gospel message.
May we leave here today with a renewed commitment to love, inspired by the words of our Lord and the example of those like Maria who embody this love in action.
Amen.
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