Friday - 3rd Week of Lent

Gospel – Mark 12:28-34

Almost There

Heiskell Home

Ginger and I took a ‘little’ road trip last week, driving back up to Chicago, her first trip back since last May.  It was a week full of doctor appointments, reunions with friends and family, and a very healthy dose of Chicago pizza and lasagna!  Yum!  Driving back to Tennessee, we became more and more anxious and excited the closer we got to our Heiskell home!  Almost there!  Almost there!  As we pulled into the driveway, all we wanted was to hear Google tell us – Welcome Home!  What a great feeling of relief and of joy!

That must be something like what the scribe in today’s Gospel felt.  The reading starts off with the scribe asking Jesus a question.  Uh oh, we know where this is going!  Jesus is going to teach him a harsh lesson; this is not going to go well.  But quite the reverse happens. 

The scribe asks Jesus what is the greatest commandment.  You’d think this must be a trick question.  There are actually 613 laws in the Torah.  How to choose!  And Jesus responds not with 1 but 2 commandments – love God and love your neighbor!  What’s remarkable is the scribe’s response.  “Well said, teacher.  You are right.”  He agrees with Jesus, and he compliments Him for his answer.  Imagine that!  He even expands his compliment by saying that love of God and neighbor is more important than any burnt offerings and sacrifices.  Think about that!  More important than everything that happens in the Temple!

Jesus then actually returns the compliment.  You are not far from the Kingdom of God!  Wow!  The Kingdom!  Heaven!  You are almost there!  Imagine the scribe’s reaction!

The question for us today?  How close are we to the Kingdom?  Do we love God?  Do we love our neighbor?  Are we almost there?  What is holding us back?  What do we still need to draw closer to the Kingdom?

Great Spirit, help me today to stay centered on the Kingdom!

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