Sunday 3 November 2024

Today is Sunday the 3rd of November, beginning the 31st week of Ordinary Time. Checko Ankrah sings Hymn Medley. As you listen, can you make these words your own? (Lyrics currently unavailable) 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. In today’s reading, Jesus is asked, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus replies with a clear answer that this is to love the Lord your God… is this something you find easy or difficult to live out? How are we to do this? With all your heart… With all your soul… With all your mind… With all your strength… And love your neighbour as yourself. Can you recall the ways that you show your love for God? As you listen to the reading again, you might like to reflect on why the first two commandments are about love… what could this tell us about the nature of God? You might feel that your love for God seems inadequate or weak, perhaps lacking in passion. Take some time now to share your thoughts with God, noticing how they are received… Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.