First Reading: Tb 6:10-11; 7:1cd.9-17; 8:4-9a; Psalm: 128. R. 1a; Gospel: Mk 12:28b-34

KNOWING AND FOLLOWING THE RIGHT WAY

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

The scribe who came to Jesus in the gospel of today is one of the Pharisees who stood out different from his colleagues. Because often times when we speak of the Pharisees, we can be tempted to generally perceive them as a group of people who are completely opposed to the teachings of Jesus. But this would be an error of judgement. At least the narrative of today’s gospel proves this. Not all Pharisees were against Jesus.

But even though this scribe was different, it would be wrong to think that he was ignorant of the question he asked Jesus. Because among the Jewish people, a scribe is a master and teacher of the law. We can see that he affirmed the answer of Jesus when Jesus told him that the greatest of all the commandments was to love God with one’s whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love one’s neighbour as one’s self. However, what was more important was not just that he knew and acknowledged the true teaching of the commandment; but that he heard Jesus say to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

To know and understand the commandment is a good thing in view of the fact that it shows us the right way to salvation. This was why Jesus told the scribe that he was not far from the kingdom of God. However, knowing the right way does not translate to following the right way. We might know the right way but choose not to follow it. The scribe would therefore have to put in personal effort to walk this way of salvation. This is why the judgement of every Christian shall be a very hard one on the Last Day because we already knew the way to follow so as to be saved. So there shall be no excuse if we failed to make heaven because we are not far from the kingdom of God since we know what to do to be there.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, grant us the grace to always follow the way to salvation. Amen.