Deuteronomy 6:2-6 Psalm 18 Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 12:28-34
SHEMA ISRAEL
I wonder how many Catholics are familiar with the Shema—"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone!" It is the centerpiece of Jewish prayer. It emphasizes that there is one God, and he is the only God. Added to it is the commandment to love God and to love one's neighbor. Today happens to be the eve of All Saints Day and our readings contain a "secret of holiness" for all of us who one day hope to be among the saints in glory.
DEUTERONOMY
Today's first reading is the keynote of the Book of Deuteronomy. The Lord is God alone and we owe him complete love from an undivided heart.
There follows a strong exhortation to observe the commandments of God, that we may inherit the promises of God: a long life, prosperity, and "a land flowing with milk and honey."
The Responsorial, Psalm 18, declares and professes our love for the Lord. Note verse 4: "Praised be the Lord, I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies." This is a wonderful verse to remember when we feel beset by "enemies," regardless of who they are or where they come from!
GOSPEL
In Mark's account of the question concerning the first or greatest commandment, the questioner is a scribe. Jesus answered by quoting the Shema Israel from Deuteronomy: "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."
Then Jesus adds the second great commandment which reflects Leviticus 19:18: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Only Mark's Gospel includes the positive and enthusiastic response on the part of the questioner, as well as Jesus's statement: "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
HEBREWS
Our second reading this Sunday continues to be taken from Hebrews, contrasting the Old Testament priesthood with the priesthood of Jesus "that does not pass away."
Jesus "is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." What a reassuring message!
Whereas the Old Testament priests were continually offering sacrifices for sin, Jesus—holy, innocent, sinless—offered himself as a sacrifice "once for all," because he is "a son who has been made perfect forever."
OLD AND NEW
Although Jesus is the high priest of the New Covenant, he reiterated the heart of the Old Testament teaching: the Shema Israel. This is but another reminder that Jesus said he came "not to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill them" (Matt. 5:17). The greatest commandment for the ancient Israelites still applies to us this very day.
I am often struck by the connection in Scripture between love for the Lord and obedience to his commandments, as we see in today's Alleluia verse from John 14:23: "Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him."
May we always ask for, and accept, the grace to love the Lord and keep his word that we may one day be "in that number" with all the saints around the Throne!