31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, November 5, 2006

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:2-6. Psalm 18:2-4,47.51. Hebrews 7:23-28. Mark 12:28-34

Our first reading is put into action in Mark. It is the most sacred line of Scripture for the Jewish people and it confirms the absolute Jewishness of Jesus. We Christians often dismiss this dimension of Jesus who is totally Jewish. I remember after having given a talk on Mary the Mother of Jesus and having said that she is a Jewish mother, a respondent raised her hand and said, "Father, you have it all wrong. Mary was a Roman Catholic!" Now, let me return to the SH'MA, the most profound verse in the Torah. "...it contains in just a few lines the basic theological commitments of Judaism: That there is a God; and that we are commanded as Jews to love God wholeheartedly, to study God's word, and to teach God's word to our children. More prosaically, it may be that, because this passage commands us to study words of Torah each morning and evening, we fulfill that obligation by reciting this passage." (Etz Hayim, p.1025: Torah and Commentary, 2001).

In the Gospel, Jesus and the scribe are in perfect agreement about this greatest of God's commandments. And they are both impressed with each other's interpretation and love for God and God's precepts. They actually complement one another. The scribe calls Jesus, "O excellent teacher" while Jesus tells him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." It is a charming and calming event in Mark's Gospel who is the best of storytellers among the Evangelists. We during these most troubling times of war, famine, genocide, terrorism and violence need to hear and embrace such encouraging passages of the Sacred Texts. All of us need to hear Jesus telling us, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." This calls us to live out the greatest of the commandments and the other precepts the Lord gives us. Peace would ensue if everyone did this.

I reflected upon the SH'MA and how it is used for the MEZUZA , a small metal or wooden case with a strip of parchment in it on which the first two sections of the SH'MA are inscribed. It is placed to the right as one enters the door or doorposts inside living quarters. The texts used are Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21, and Exodus 13:9,16. It reminds me of the Roman Catholic use of the holy water font which not only is in churches but also in some Catholic homes and in many chapels. Both are reminders of God's Presence in word and in a sacramental.

As our first reading ends, Moses is telling us in a prophetic way: "Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today." Moses and Jesus are telling us to internalize these words.

On the Sabbaths and on Sundays may God's peace be with us as we listen and observe two great persons encouraging us to live out God's loving and kind precepts. Jesus and Moses and the scribe are in agreement. We too can be part of this encouraging event by our observance of the greatest of the commandments. Amen.