Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the
Third Week of Lent (29th March, 2019) on the Gospel
Hos 14:2-10;
Ps 80:6.8-11.14.17. (R. vv. 9.11);
Mk 12:28-34.
Topic: Although not far.
A scribe asked Jesus in today’s gospel, “Which commandment is
the first of all?” In reply Jesus quoted the books of Deuteronomy and
Leviticus, “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” (cf. Deut 6:4-5). He goes further, “The second is this, ‘You shall love
your neighbour as yourself’” (cf. Lev
19:18; 19:34). The scribe agreed
with Jesus. And finally, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom
of God.”
The scribe was neither far from the kingdom of God nor inside
it. In Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans we read, “it is not the hearers of the
law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be
justified” (Rom 2:13). Again, the
letter of Saint James exhorts us,
But be doers of the word, and not mere hearers who deceive
themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like
those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on
going away, immediately forget what they were like (Jas 1:22-24).
We also read in the gospel, “you will know the truth, and the
truth will make you free” (Jn 8:32).
The scribe was not far because he had known the truth and was truly free to
choose life or death, blessing or curse, cf. Deut 30:19. Knowledge can only bring one near to the kingdom of God
but action is required to be inside. Whoever wants to be inside must love God
with all his/her heart, soul, mind, and strength and also love his/her
neighbour as him/herself.
Bible Reading: Jas 1:19-27.
Thought for today: Near or inside the kingdom of God?
Let us pray: Lord, help us not to be near to your
kingdom but to be inside it – Amen.
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