31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) - 3rd November 2024

Readings

• First Reading: Deuteronomy 6:2-6
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 17 (18):2-4, 47, 51
  • Response: "I love you, Lord, my strength."
• Second Reading: Hebrews 7:23-28
• Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

First Reading: Deuteronomy 6:2-6

Summary:In this reading, Moses gives the people the basic message of their faith. “Listen, Israel: the Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God” with all that is in them. Their relationship with God is to be one of love.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 17 (18):2-4, 47, 51

Response: "I love you, Lord, my strength."Summary:The psalmist responds in love as he realises who God is for him: his rock, fortress, and deliverer, expressing reliance on God for strength and salvation.

Second Reading: Hebrews 7:23-28

Summary:In this passage, the author of Hebrews presents Christ as the eternal high priest. We can rely on him forever. He is the sure connection between God and humanity, He has shown what God has done and will yet do for us.

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes, impressed by Jesus’ teaching, asks Him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus responds by quoting the Shema from Deuteronomy, emphasising the commandment to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” He then adds the commandment to “love your neighbour as yourself.” The scribe agrees, affirming that these commandments are greater than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus commends the scribe’s understanding, saying, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After this, no one dared to question Him further.

Brief Overview

In this dialogue with the scribe, Jesus summarises the entirety of the Law in two interconnected commandments: love of God and love of neighbour. He makes it clear that faithfulness to God is shown not merely through rituals but through sincere love. By uniting these two commandments, Jesus demonstrates that love for God is inseparable from love for others; one cannot fully love God without also loving those created in His image.

Historical Background

Jesus’ response combines the Shema—a daily prayer in Jewish tradition—and a verse from Leviticus (19:18), showing a profound respect for Jewish teachings while expanding their meaning. In Jewish tradition, the Shema was recited to reinforce the commitment to God’s oneness and sovereignty. For the scribe, and those in the audience, Jesus’ integration of the Shema with the command to love one’s neighbour would have been a revolutionary affirmation of the inherent dignity and worth of others as a reflection of one’s love for God.

Contextual Reflections

Jesus’ answer to the scribe clarifies that the path to the kingdom of God is found in loving relationships - with God and with others. This call to love transcends rigid observance of laws and rituals, inviting believers to live authentically by prioritising compassion and respect.

The scribe's question, though testing Jesus, ultimately reflects his sincere desire to understand God’s expectations. Jesus’ response shifts the focus from external practices to a deeply relational faith. The dialogue challenges us to look beyond forms and to embrace the spirit of the law: love that is transformative, sacrificial, and active.

Connecting the Gospel to Today's Cultural Context

Jesus calls us to love God, which seems at odds with today’s world, where the priorities are work, mortgage, qualifications, employment, wages, health, time off, leisure, exercise and the ‘body beautiful’. Spend a while each day noticing the good things of our lives: that is a good starting point for relating to God. The modern age offers us prayer apps on our phones. We could use them.

If we make time for God, we will make time for others. And we will do so genuinely, in a time when relationships can be superficial and verge on ‘using’ others. Our effort to have quality, considerate relationships with individual others builds the strength of our community. Good faith and good religion show themselves in acts of kindness, understanding, and unity. It’s our actions - what we do - that counts in God’s eyes.

Themes for Meditation

• Wholehearted Love of God: Reflect on what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Are there areas in your life where this love can deepen or where distractions may have taken priority?
• Love of Neighbour as Reflection of Divine Love: Consider ways in which you actively show love to others. Are there people in your life with whom you struggle to connect? Pray for the grace to extend God’s love even to those who challenge you.
• Integration of Faith and Action: Jesus unites worship and ethical behaviour in these commandments. Reflect on how your daily life reflects your love for God and neighbour. How can you make this connection even stronger?

Prayer

Gracious God, instil in us a love that is deep, true, and enduring. Help us to love You with all that we are, to seek You with our whole heart, and to recognise You in those around us. Teach us to extend Your love to others, that our faith may be seen in acts of kindness, compassion, and understanding. Draw us closer to Your kingdom through our love for You and our neighbour. Amen.

Quotes for Reflection

• “Charity is that with which no one is lost, and without which no one is saved.” – St. Robert Bellarmine
• “Love grows by works of love. Love is a sacrifice of our own selfish nature.” – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
• “The Lord measures out perfection neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them.” – St. John of the Cross

Contemplative Action

This week, identify an area of your life where you can better integrate love for God and love for neighbour. Whether it is through prayer, service, or a gesture of kindness, seek to embody the commandment Jesus shared. Consider reaching out to someone you have found difficult to connect with and show them compassion, extending love as Christ calls us to do.

Saint of the Week

Saint Martin de Porres (Feast Day: 3rd November)St. Martin de Porres, a Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order, is known for his humility, deep faith, and unwavering charity. Though born into poverty and experiencing racial discrimination, Martin devoted himself to serving the sick and impoverished, especially caring for those society overlooked. He is known for his miraculous healings and gentleness. St. Martin’s life inspires us to love without distinction, reaching out to those in need with compassion and humility.

Liturgical Calendar for the Week

• 3rd November: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
• 4th November: St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop (Memorial)
• 5th November: Weekday in Ordinary Time
• 6th November: Weekday in Ordinary Time
• 7th November: Weekday in Ordinary Time
• 8th November: Weekday in Ordinary Time
• 9th November: The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (Feast)

May this guide assist you in your homily preparation.