Ninth Week of Ordinary Time
06th June 2024 (Thursday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-15
Beloved: Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 (R. 4a)
R/. O Lord, make me know your ways.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Our savior Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : Mark 12:28b-34
At that time: One of the scribes came up and asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And 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. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Thursday – Ninth Week of Ordinary Time
Guidelines: Love is like breath to life, like a heartbeat to heart, like movement to the body, like consciousness to the spirit, like thinking to mind, like the decision to will. It is the essence of an authentic human person and believer
1. So much is spoken about love and at the very same time, so little is done about it. Love is the most needed and it is also the most disused and abused. Often, lust and selfishness are promoted in the name of love.
2. Today, once again, Jesus clarifies, certifies and rectifies our whole way of life and religion by the principle of love. He reiterates love as the greatest commandment. It is not only a rule of religion. It is not a spiritual law alone.
3. It is the essence and quintessence of the whole of human life. It is a love for God that is total and entire in full measures, with whole mind, heart, strength and soul. It is a love that places total trust in God even in desperate situations, like Tobit and Sarah.
4. It is a love that clings to God, with an unfailing hope in His mercy against all hopes. It is a love that gives the topmost priority to God above all things. It is a love that gives full measures to God. It is a love that embraces God and clings to His will, in all circumstances. It is a love that breathes ceaselessly a passionate love for God. It is a love that beats for God with vibrant vibrations.
5. It is also love that loves the other with a total love paramount to the love for one’s own self. Everyone loves himself. Everyone desires good and happiness of one’s self. In the same way, one should love the other with the same sincere and highest love.
6. This twofold or two-pronged love is the greatest of all, surpassing all the ritual offerings and religious practices. The practice of religion or spirituality without love for God and for others is not acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.
Practice: This twofold love – love for God and love for others – is the greatest commandment and an ardent adherence to it is the greatest witness to one’s faith and faithfulness
