Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 NABRE)
When questioned by a scribe, asked which is the first of all the commandments, Jesus here quotes from the Law of Moses, found in the books of Deuteronomy (6:4-5) and Leviticus (19-18). The scribe, who was a scholar of the law, responded positively and Jesus told him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." (Mark 12:34)
For the devout Jew all the commandments were to be kept with equal care, but there is evidence of preoccupation in Jewish sources with the question put to Jesus.* In his response, Jesus brings a new and challenging interpretation of the traditional belief. In Matthew's account, he goes further, stating that, "The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:40)
Lord God, help me to keep my focus on these two commandments. May they be the measure against which I consider all my thoughts, words, and actions today.
Today, I will meditate on how I show my love for God and others, making adjustments where needed.
Saint Leander of Seville, who, as bishop about the year 589, introduced the practice of reciting the Nicene Creed during Mass to help reinforce the faith of his people, pray for us.
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