Commentary for Sunday: 31st October

Mark 12, 28b-34:

Sunday, 31 October 2021. (31st  OT   B)

A learned man came to Jesus to ask him, but this time it seems that he did not have an ulterior motive: Which is the principal commandment of the Law? Faced with the multiplication of commands, precepts and laws that had been given since the time of Moses, it was not unusual for them to ask this question: What should they do to be faithful to what Moses had marked out for them as the way to God? And Jesus answers him directly: there are two similar commandments: love of God and love of neighbour. Jesus’ great command is love, in both directions. That is the only law. And its fulfilment is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.

The lawyer agrees with Jesus, who, in turn, tells him that “you are not far from the Kingdom of God”.

Today there is no need for interpretation. Jesus’ words are quite clear: whoever wants to love God has no other way than to love his neighbour. The difficulty we face is to discover Jesus in others. And not only in those who are far away from us, in the third world or with the marginalised, but in those with whom we interact every day. At the end of each day we should ask ourselves whether we have loved others, or whether we have loved only ourselves.

May we come to love sincerely those with whom we live. If we did this, our world, our society, would be different. It was Jesus’ wish, to make this world the kingdom of God.

 

Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf

 

Start typing and press Enter to search