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First Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-15
Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:
such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering,
even to the point of chains, like a criminal.
But the word of God is not chained.
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
together with eternal glory.
This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.
Remind people of these things
and charge them before God to stop disputing about words.
This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.
Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God,
a workman who causes no disgrace,
imparting the word of truth without deviation.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14
R./ Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O Lord, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R./ Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.
R./ Teach me your ways, O Lord.
All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
R./ Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Gospel Reading: Mark 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.
Opening Prayer
God our Father,
you want your heart to be
the measure of our love,
but you are always greater than our heart.
In this Eucharist, let your Son give us
a heart of flesh in which burns
a fire of love that cannot be extinguished,
and that prompts us to follow him all the way
to you and to all you have entrusted to us.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction
Our text is a profession of faith and a liturgical hymn. The profession of faith is made because Gnosticism was creeping in.
Gospel Introduction
As there were so many rules of the Law to observe, it is easy to understand the desire of scribes to ask which was the key commandment. Twice a day pious Jews professed the "Hear, Israel," with the love of God unique and very important. Jesus attaches to it love of neighbor too, as a total commitment that he will practice on the cross.
General Intercessions
– That the Church for which Christ died may grow into a universal community of love, which makes God's unconditional love visible to all people, we pray:
– That Christians everywhere may not be people of legalisms and outward observances but people with a heart, who do what they have to do and more because they are God's children, we pray:
– That our anemic and dried-up love may become rich and spontaneous, like a fresh breath of life and joy, brightening the lives of those around us and a wordless song of praise to God, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Loving God,
in this Eucharist, we celebrate
the memory of the sacrifice
of Jesus who showed us
the full extent of his love.
Let him make our love
as deep and as wide as his,
even if it will upset our settled ways.
May this be the sacrifice we offer you
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
to be open to you and to your call,
to enter into the world of people
who are wounded by life
by other persons and by us too,
to hear their cries and to welcome all,
where will all this lead us?
By the strength of this Eucharist,
help us to encounter our neighbors,
to share their bread, their joys and miseries
and to kindle new hope in their hearts.
May this be our response to your love
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
Indeed, to love one's neighbor as oneself often demands sacrifices, and is therefore, worth more than ritual sacrifices. May God inspire such a commitment and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
