🙏 SUNDAY INSIGHTS - 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 🙏

First Reading - Deuteronomy 6:2-6

Second Reading - Hebrews 7:23-28 

Gospel - Mark 12:28-34

Today’s readings bring us to the heart of our faith, where love for God and love for others meet as a unified commandment. From the words of Moses in Deuteronomy, to the sacrifice of Christ described in Hebrews, to Jesus’ own response in the Gospel of Mark, we are drawn to reflect on a love that is total, self-giving, and transformative. These readings encourage us to go beyond obligation, inviting us into a relationship with God that becomes the foundation for how we live and love in the world.

In Deuteronomy, Moses speaks to the Israelites, reminding them of God’s law with a powerful command: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” This is no ordinary love; it is a love that asks for everything, for an all-encompassing dedication to God. Moses calls the people to love God in a way that permeates every part of their lives. The love he describes is not passive; it’s a love that is expressed in devotion, in obedience, and in a life that reflects God’s will in every decision and action. Here, we’re reminded that loving God is meant to be the foundation of all we do and all we are.

The second reading from Hebrews points to Jesus as our eternal high priest. His sacrifice, unlike the sacrifices of past priests, is complete, perfect, and eternal. Through His single, ultimate act of love, Jesus bridges the gap between God and humanity. This reading highlights that Christ’s priesthood is one of self-giving love, one that brings us closer to God and inspires us to approach God with confidence and gratitude. In Jesus, we see the perfect model of sacrificial love, a love that is generous, compassionate, and focused on the needs of others. This passage calls us to follow His example, to give of ourselves, and to serve with a heart open to God and others.

In the Gospel, Jesus is asked, “Which commandment is the first of all?” He responds by quoting Deuteronomy, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” But He doesn’t stop there; He adds, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In this response, Jesus teaches us that love for God and love for others are inseparable. Our relationship with God should naturally lead to love and care for those around us. By making these two commandments inseparable, Jesus invites us to live a faith that is both deeply personal and profoundly communal. To love God truly means to love those around us, to see each person as worthy of dignity and compassion.

Dear friends, today’s readings challenge us to examine our own lives. How much of our heart, soul, mind, and strength do we give to God? Do we see our love for God reflected in our actions toward others? This week, let’s take these questions into our daily lives. We can begin by dedicating moments each day to strengthen our relationship with God—through prayer, reading Scripture, or simply by recognizing His presence around us. As we grow in this relationship, let’s look for ways to extend that love to those in need, to the people who cross our paths, and to those who may be longing for kindness and understanding. Our love for God is meant to be active, visible, and transformative, reaching into the lives of those around us.

In responding to the call to love God wholly and our neighbor as ourselves, we align our lives with the greatest commandment, a commandment that is not a burden, but a source of life and joy. May we seek to love God with all that we are and to let that love overflow into the world, becoming a light of hope, compassion, and peace for all.