Application

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031315.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to apply and live our faith.

In our community, we have what we call a “CC” or “caring circle” wherein we share the bible verse/s that struck us. At the end of each sharing, one of the things we discuss is our resolution or resolve – what we feel God wants us to do, sometimes related to our struck, which would make our struck more real and more alive. IT also helps us remember what struck us. Having this resolution would also help us grow in faith and grow closer to God. This is what God wants from us, to apply and live our faith.

In the gospel, someone asked what is the greatest commandment. Jesus answered that it is to love God above all, and with all we have. However, he did not stop there. Even though he was not asked about it, Jesus went on to say the second greatest commandment, which is to love others as we love ourselves. This tells us how important the second commandment is for Jesus.

Love for God should be alive and expressed in other people.

This reminds us that our love should not end on God. It is easy to say we love God, but how do we tell God it is true? How do we know that we really love God, and not just say that we do? How we live and treat others tell God if we mean it or not. We should treat others right. We should express our love for God through others, especially the least, the last and the lost. And as we do this, we can hear Jesus say to us that we are not far from the kingdom of heaven.

Do I love God? What takes first place in my life? Do I show God I love him? How? What can I do to show God I love him through others?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Sorry for the times I am contented to say and know that I love you, but fail to really live and apply it. Lord, help me live my faith. Help me love you in others. Help me express my love for you in others. I ask that as I try to love others, you may use me to make you and your love more alive and more real in the lives of others, especially the least, the last and the lost. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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March 13, 2015

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

Lectionary: 241

Reading 1 Hos 14:2-10

Thus says the LORD:

Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;

you have collapsed through your guilt.

Take with you words,

and return to the LORD;

Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity,

and receive what is good, that we may render

as offerings the bullocks from our stalls.

Assyria will not save us,

nor shall we have horses to mount;

We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’

to the work of our hands;

for in you the orphan finds compassion.”

I will heal their defection, says the LORD,

I will love them freely;

for my wrath is turned away from them.

I will be like the dew for Israel:

he shall blossom like the lily;

He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,

and put forth his shoots.

His splendor shall be like the olive tree

and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.

Again they shall dwell in his shade

and raise grain;

They shall blossom like the vine,

and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols?

I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.

“I am like a verdant cypress tree”–

Because of me you bear fruit!

Let him who is wise understand these things;

let him who is prudent know them.

Straight are the paths of the LORD,

in them the just walk,

but sinners stumble in them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17

R. (see 11 and 9a) I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

An unfamiliar speech I hear:

“I relieved his shoulder of the burden;

his hands were freed from the basket.

In distress you called, and I rescued you.”

R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

“Unseen, I answered you in thunder;

I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

Hear, my people, and I will admonish you;

O Israel, will you not hear me?”

R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

“There shall be no strange god among you

nor shall you worship any alien god.

I, the LORD, am your God

who led you forth from the land of Egypt.”

R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

“If only my people would hear me,

and Israel walk in my ways,

I would feed them with the best of wheat,

and with honey from the rock I would fill them.”

R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

Verse Before the Gospel Mt 4:17

Repent, says the Lord;

the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Gospel Mk 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,

“Which is the first of all the commandments?”

Jesus replied, “The first is this:

Hear, O Israel!

The Lord our God is Lord alone!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul,

with all your mind,

and with all your strength.

The second is this:

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.

You are right in saying,

He is One and there is no other than he.

And to love him with all your heart,

with all your understanding,

with all your strength,

and to love your neighbor as yourself

is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,

he said to him,

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

And no one dared to ask him any more questions