Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ 29 Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” 31 The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’
32 Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; 33 and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question.
How far am I from the Kingdom of God!?
During the last few Sundays, St. Mark invites us to walk with Jesus from the Galilee up to Jerusalem. Many events, questions, and answers take place on the road that would have taken a few days because of the distance between Galilee and Jerusalem (about 95 miles). Reading between the lines, they would use the rift road along the Jordan River and cross through Jericho where Jesus heals the blind man in Mark 10:46-52.
In Mark Chapter 11:11, Jesus enters Jerusalem and the Temple with His disciples.
Jerusalem, the Holy Town, but also the official residence of the Israelite spiritual and religious authority that Jesus is going to deal with and be caught by. The Temple, where the Presence of God among His people is glorified and worshipped. Let us keep in mind how important both Jerusalem and the Temple are for Israel.
Later, St. John will tell us more about the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven. Revelation 21:1-2, “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”
The temple with its huge stones will be destroyed and thrown down (Matthew 24:2). A new temple will replace the old one by the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in the baptized faithful, who will be sanctified and consecrated to God.
Entering Jerusalem, Jesus is going to respond to many questions about His authority, about the taxes paid to Caesar, about the resurrection of the dead, but also about the First Commandment. Considering that the Pharisees expanded the number of commandments up to 613, which one is the most important? One of the scribes who seems to admire Jesus‘ teaching and responses wants to hear about Jesus’ First Commandment. Exceptionally Jesus does not respond with another question, but answers directly by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4 .... and Leviticus 19:18... Love your God and your neighbor, just two commandments! St. John will tell us to love God through our neighbor, merging the two in one (1 John 4:20-21).
Take a breath and admire the scribe's answer to Jesus in Mark 12:32-33, "Teacher, you have truly said that loving one's neighbor is more important than offerings and sacrifices.” Jesus saw that he answered wisely and said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” To St. Mark, not far from the Kingdom of God means that you are not far from Jesus Christ himself.
Practice that here and now, where you are, in your house, in your office, in your career, in your social life. Just do it as you believe it! In doing so, your are glorifying God more than in offering Him sacrifices. You are then in God's heart and God is present in yours.
Spend some time reading the text again. Reflect, meditate and pray as you reconfirm your deep faith in these two commandments to love God and your neighbor. Ask yourself, “How far am I from Jesus? How close or near am I to Him?” May you hear Him saying, “You are not far from Me!”
Father Kamal, Oct. 31, 2021