God First

A Reflection on the Gospel for October 31st, 2021:
​Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Mark
12.28-34

One of the scribes came near and heard the religious authorities disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?”

Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 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.”

Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 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,’ — this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

When Jesus saw that the scribe answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

After that no one dared to ask Jesus any question.
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“Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one... ” (Mark 12:29) 

I’m not surprised that Jesus quotes this passage from Deuteronomy 6:4 when asked what the greatest commandment is. He is telling the crowd that the commandment Moses gave to the Israelites when they were getting ready to enter the promised land is the same commandment that should be honored firstly in His time. It is the same commandment that we also should honor first today, 2000 years later, there is One Lord of all.
       
I’m not surprised because I’ve seen what happens when I put God first and I’ve seen what happens when I don’t. I recently took on a new role in my work. It is more time consuming and involves learning how to do many new things. I also have taken the lead on two other ministries at my parish. At first I was reluctant because I’m at a point in my life that I’d like to slow down some. But God had other plans for me and I knew in my heart that He was asking me to do these things. He was asking me to put Him ahead of my own personal plans. I said “yes” to these new responsibilities because I know that when I put God first and follow His plan for my life, not only do I receive blessing but so do many others. I may be tired at the end of the day but I have joy and peace in my heart. 
       
Jesus then goes on to say that we should love God and tells us exactly how we should do it: “... with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” 

I love this quote from Saint Augustine: “Love God and do what you will.” When we put God first and love Him as we should, then our lives are rightly ordered. What if we lived in a world where everyone did this? Let it begin with us. 



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​Maxine Brown
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