Thursday Ninth Week of Ordinary Time
II Timothy 2:8-15
Mark 12:28-34
Today is the last full day of classes for our students as tomorrow is a half day of school. Our students have learned so much this year, but hopefully, there is one more lesson we need to learn today, and that is to give our hearts to God totally, so we can love him and love our neighbor.
St. Paul says to his good friend Timothy, “Be a good worker for God and be filled with grace.” “Be a good worker?” Paul says, “Because we have a lot of work to do! There is a lesson you need to learn over and over again.”
In our Gospel, a scribe comes to Jesus because he realizes that burnt offerings are not enough and he is seeking something more in his life. This guy is not like the rest he genuinely wants an answer from Jesus that will help him grow in holiness. The scribe asks, “Master what is the greatest of the commandments?” Jesus responds with, “To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Jesus continued by saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus is telling the man, that you ask for one answer, I gave you two, but they are inseparable.
This is a lesson we will be tested on time and time again this day. We will know when we have passed and we will know when we have not done well. In this Eucharist may we pray to pass the test that God is giving us.
frmarkpeacock 