The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, June 2, 2005
Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1,9-17; 8:4-9
Psalm 128:1-5
Mark 12:28-34

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"...Which commandment is first of all?" (Mark 12: 28)

It is said that a person who breaks even one of the Commandments has in reality broken them all. This should cure us of making invidious comparisons between our virtues and the sins of others; for if we are honest with ourselves, we will see that we are far from perfect. All sin, whether it is murder, angry words or a vicious slight against another, is a slap to God's face. Our every selfish and unkind act breaks the very spirit of God's law which demonstrates how we are to minister the love He pours upon us to family and neighbor.

This latter statement becomes clear in the context of Christ's words spoken in today's Gospel. First we are to love God with our entire beings, in complete abandonment to His will; it follows, then, that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Some say, "I love my neighbor well enough, but why must I first love God? I'm doing just fine on my own." These need to be reminded that as God's children we learn from Him what genuine love requires of us. True love is shown to us by Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross; in this we see the depths of God's love for His children. Genuine love is a total self-giving.

When humanity finally sees through sincere prayer its need to tap into and participate in the life of God, the very Source and Giver of love, we will at last achieve the fullness of life He desires us to achieve through faith in and obedience to His Word, Jesus Christ .

O Blessed Lord,
help us to see and accept that our lives
extend beyond our physical aspect.
Grant us the grace which will allow You to create us anew
in the Image of Your beloved Son. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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