31st Sunday Year B: Reflection by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
Theme: LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR BEING, LOVE MAN LIKE YOURSELF
(Mark 12:28b-34)
In doubt and confusion of the best way to follow, of what to do and what not to do, of the most important of the commandments and rules of life, in the face of the many teachings flying all over, under the voices of the thousand and one motivational and inspirational speakers, the question of which commandments is the greatest rises up in the mind of man.
Confronted by orders from the government and from other numerous powers, the problem of whose voice is supreme, whose should be obeyed first stares man at the face.
Living in a society of multicultural and multi religious belief systems, as well as the denominational turbulences here and there, the common man seeking to live better life wonders which way to go.
The Gospel of today gives us the solution to the problems bordering on what God wants from us as human beings.
LOVE IS THE ISSUE
The Jews had about 613 commandments contained in the Torah alone for their observance. Thus, the religion is called the religion of commandments. This scribe who came to Jesus asking which one is the greatest wanted to know the best way to please God in order not to break the commandment that would offend God greatly.
Jesus understood his question very well and would not allow him to go with his burden without taking it off his shoulders. Jesus simplified the commandments and made him to understand that the whole laws are reducible to one or two as the case maybe. It is not just about saying this one is the greatest and that one the least. But Jesus mentioned the one on which every other should hang and that is: Love.
Wow! The scribe must have kept quiet for a while. But he accepted this truth hook, line and sinker, because it was clear.
St Augustine would say: Love and then do what you want.
LOVE GOD
In Christ’s response to the scribe, He said: ‘Hear Oh Israel: The Lord our God is one; and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength’. This is the shema, which serves the Jews as a prayer too. Hear, or listen (shema) invites us to put God first in all we do. Calls upon us to take the worship of God seriously. In the Old Testament context (Deuteronomy 6:4–5) when this quote our Lord used today was first cited, the period was a polytheistic one, when many gods were worshipped by the people that surrounded Israel.
In our own world today, we are called to beware of the many gods around us. We are challenged to keep in mind that the worship of power, money, false figures, self-acclaimed gods is on the increase. The worship of the social media, of sex, of nudity, of materialism is being promoted on daily basis.
We as Christians should therefore not forget that the Lord our God remains the only God.
We are therefore encouraged to be firm, to avoid syncretism, watering down of the faith and religious indifference.
To show how much we love God, we must love His word, be sincere in our worship, draw near to Him always in reverence entering into holy covenant with Him. We do these by letting everything we do reflect His holy will. Thus, we should no longer be Christians and non-Christians at the same time. We make our worship a wholehearted one, in spirit and truth.
LOVE MAN
The second in the new commandment Jesus gave to his new friend, the scribe read: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
Indeed, the troubles we are suffering in our families, our society, communities, organizations, in the Church, the country and the world at large is the eclipse of love.
We shall not be talking about any other law or issues if our people decide to live in love. If the leaders treat those they lead not minding if they are from the East, West, North or South the way they treat their own families, there will not be reasons for agitations and unrest. If people should think of how they will feel when their family members are killed, raped, kidnapped or tortured, they will not be wicked to others.
Jesus beckons on us to be creative in loving, to be up and doing in expressing care and concern, to reach out to those around us with good words, arms and assistance.
Let’s stop being selfish. Think about your partner, think about your colleague, think about and help that your boss, be good to that your assistant. What you will not like done to you, do not do it to others.
Live a balanced life. Strike a balance. Do not claim to love God when you do not love your neighbour. St John would say that He who does that deceives himself. Never claim to be law abiding when you do not feel the pains of the poor. St Paul says that love is the fulfilment of the law (Rom 13:10).
Let us be human and be holy. Let us learn from Christ who was truly God and truly man. He loved God his Father so much and lived in obedience to Him. He loved man so much that He gave His life for Him.
May the grace of God see us through.
LET US PRAY
Oh, loving Father, we thank You for Your love that endures forever. Help us to take home Your word for us today. As You declare: Hear this! May we listen and love You above all created things while loving our brothers and sisters as ourselves for Your sake. Bless Your word in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen
Happy Sunday (31st Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr B)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh