| Reading 1 | Response | Reading 2 | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dt 6:2-6 | Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51 | Heb 7:23-28 | Mk 12:28b-34 |
| RCL: Dt 6:1-9 | RCL: Heb 9:11-14 | RCL: Mk 12:28-34 |
Discipleship: love God, love the neighbor
During Ordinary time the Lectionary presents stories and teachings from Jesus’ everyday ministry. This week’s readings focus on the continuity of God’s law of love.
First reading (Dt 6:2-6)
The first reading is from Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of Torah, which contains Moses’ exhortations to the Israelites before they enter Canaan. In today’s pericope, the author stresses the causal link between faithfulness to God (“keep all his statutes and commandments”) and prospering in the promised land (“a land flowing with milk and honey”). In the great Shema (meaning “Hear!”) commandment, Moses charges the people to follow God’s teachings (“be careful to observe them”). The Shema has become part of daily Jewish liturgy, recited twice each day in worship. Because God is the only God (“the Lord our God, the Lord is one”), the people must love God completely. In Jewish thought, “heart,” “breath/soul,” and “strength” expresses the unity and totality of a human person. The Lectionary editors chose this reading because Jesus cites this command in today’s gospel.
Second reading (Heb 7:23-28)
The second reading continues Ordinary time’s semi-continuous reading from the letter to the Hebrews. The sermon’s author draws parallels between the Jewish priesthood and Jesus’ “priestly” service that offers believers greater access to God. Today’s pericope continues the argument that Jesus’ priesthood is greater than the Levitical priesthood. Unlike human high priests who died (“death prevented from remaining in office”), Jesus’ priesthood is eternal (“remains forever”). Because Jesus “lives forever,” he continuously intercedes for “those who approach God” and can “save them.” As God’s son, Jesus is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens.” As the sinless mediator and priest, he does not need to offer sacrifices “day after day;” he offered his perfect self-offering “once and for all.” Finally, God appointed Jesus as priest by God’s oath (“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,” Ps 110:4). God’s oath supersedes Levitical law, which appoints humans to a limited (“subject to weakness”) high priesthood. The Lectionary editors chose this reading as part Ordinary time’s semi-continuous reading from Hebrews.
Gospel (Mk 12:28b-34)
Mark’s gospel presents a conversation between a teacher (Jesus) and student (a scribe) about the greatest commandment. Mark’s telling differs from Matthew’s and Luke’s versions: in Mark the scribe shows a friendly attitude toward Jesus, and Jesus affirms that the scribe is “not far from the kingdom of God.” Different audiences hear different messages in this story:
- Jesus’ Jewish audience. The scribe asks rabbi Jesus to weigh in on a commonly discussed topic: of the 613 commandments in Torah, which is the most important? A teacher like Jesus would expect this question as a matter of course. Jesus’ Jewish hearers would have understood that Jesus’ double love command didn’t replace Torah; rather his answer provides a simplified way in which one could practice all Torah commandments. Jesus’ summary goes to the root of all the commandments and emphasizes inner dispositions (love God and love the neighbor).
- Mark’s gentile community. Mark writes his gospel forty years after Jesus’ death for a predominantly gentile Christian community in Rome. Gentile Christians living in a polytheistic society needed to understand that the Father of Jesus is the one and only God. Additionally, this society offered sacrifices constantly to many gods; Mark’s community needed to hear that love of this one God and love of neighbor were “worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark’s ekklesia may also have understood that fulfilling the double love commandment was equivalent to fulfilling the whole Law (Torah).
Summary and reflection
This week’s readings ask us to think about the continuity and meaning of God’s law of love across Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Moses exhorts the Israelites to love the one God completely to ensure life and success. The Hebrews author tells us that Jesus mediates for us with God forever. Jesus repeats Moses’ Shema commandment and combines it with another Torah command (Lv 19:18b) summarizing all Torah teachings into “Love God and love the neighbor.” How do we understand and live the double love commandments? Do we love the one God, or do we love the many gods of power, prestige, and money? Do we love the one who mediates for us forever, or do we love the many who sell promises and products that will answer our every human wish? Do we love the ones we want to love, or do we love the many different neighbors with difficult needs who depend on us?
—Terence Sherlock
The Lectionary In Context 