YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
(Mk. 12:28-34) Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
In the day’s Gospel Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment. You can just wonder what is the import of the question. Does it mean that the answer would be the only commandment which mattered? Also, the question seeks to put to test the hundreds of other laws which were added and borne out particular experiences which the Jews encountered. From the original ten, it ballooned to more than four hundred related laws.
Jesus’ answer revealed God’s intention. Fulfillment of God’s commandments does not lie only in the obedience to the Decalogue. Jesus pointed out the involvement of the whole person: heart, mind, strength, soul, etc. Nothing in our being functions without regard to God. And the direct beneficiary of our goodness is our neighbor i. e. any one in need. The plan of God is clear. He meant every Christian to have that commitment and dedication to serve each other.
This asserts the seriousness of the Catholic Faith. We are not just interested in obeying the commandments as told and directed. We must examine ourselves and should be concerned of others.
