Monday 17 March 2014

FRIDAY-THIRD WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-A
I Reading: Hosea 14:2-10: We will not say any more, “Our God” to what our own hands have made.
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34: The Lord our God is the one Lord and you must love Him.
The Question about the Greatest Commandment
The Sadducees and Pharisees met together to plan and plot against Jesus again (cp. Mt 22:34). This time they took a different approach. Earlier they had challenged Jesus as a body of questioners. Now they chose only one member from among their body to attack Jesus. He as a Teacher of the law (Scribe) who was most brilliant and versed in the law.
Jesus used the occasion to teach man the greatest provision and duty of human life: love. Love will provide for every need man has; therefore, love is the greatest duty of man.
1.    A Teacher of the law approached Jesus (v.28)
a.    Observed Jesus’  arguments
b.    Posed a test question: Which is the most important commandment?
2.    The greatest commandment (v.29-31)
a.    The Lord our God, the Lord is one
b.    The Lord our God is to be loved
c.     The Lord our God demands that we love our neighbours as ourselves
3.    The great vastness of the commandment (v.32-34)
a.    So great it causes honest and thinking men to agree
b.    So great it exceeds all offerings and sacrifices
c.     So great it almost assures salvation to those who understand it

Thought: Man/woman is to love God supremely and his/her neighbours. To love our neighbour involves some very practical acts that are spelled out in Scripture (cp. 1Cor 13:4-7; Lev 19:18).

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