Tomorrow we celebrate the solemnity of All Saints, when we recognize those many men and women who we believe have gained the eternal reward and are forever in the presence of God. Today we hear Jesus tell a scribe, “You are not far from the kingdom of God,” suggesting that this anonymous functionary was close to being a saint. To be a saint should be our goal, so let us listen to the Gospel and pray that we take Jesus’ words to heart and put them into action.
Moses knew the power of God, since it flowed through him as he led the Chosen People out of captivity and toward a land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, he enthusiastically exhorted his people to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. Jesus repeats this directive in the Gospel, adding its complement: love your neighbor as yourself. Let us embrace these commandments as the foundation of our life.
• The passage from Deuteronomy we hear today provides a bit of the context for the original formulation of what becomes “the first of all the commandments” (Mark 12:28). Unlike Jesus, Moses is not responding to a question. Moses is wrapping up his presentation of the terms of the covenant between God and the Chosen People. After detailing the ten commandments the Lord gave him on the mountain, Moses tries to impress upon the people the importance of their fidelity to this covenant. Fidelity demands an absolute faithfulness. The emphasis is not so much on heart, soul, and strength as separate entities, but on the repeated word all. Fidelity requires a commitment from their whole being.
• The scenes prior to this one shine some light on the way the scribe questioned Jesus in this passage. First, a Pharisee, trying to trap him, asked him about paying the census tax to Caesar. Then, a Sadducee, using the conundrum of a woman widowed by seven brothers to deride the idea of resurrection. Each of them addressed Jesus as “teacher,” but hypocritically. This scribe used the title with respect. Like many others, he saw Jesus as a teacher, a rabbi. Jesus here quotes Moses, the preeminent teacher of the covenant and the law, placing himself firmly in that tradition. The remaining authorities present, seeing Jesus’ success in responding to both sincere and insincere questions, chose to ask this true teacher no more questions.
• The reading of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus was much more than a teacher, more than a successor of Moses. Because he made the ultimate sacrifice and sits at God’s right hand for eternity, he is always able to intercede for us to God. Continual fidelity to the greatest commandments is a challenge, even with the best of intentions, but Jesus’ sacrifice for all forever can “save those who approach God through him” (Hebrews 7:25).
Do I think Jesus would tell me that I am “not far from the kingdom of God?” What should I do to become closer?
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, October 31st, 2021, Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, October 31st, 2021, Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Of all the gifts that God gives us, the one He wants the most is our heart. He wants us to share out of our love for Him, not out of obligation. Using our talent in parish ministry and contributing money to support our parish mission is important, but it’s more important to spend time in prayer with God daily and discern how He is calling us to be generous with all of our gifts. Not just the visible ones, but the invisible ones like love, mercy and forgiveness.
November 1st is All Saints Day. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. DISCOVER MORE
November 2nd is All Souls Day which is a holy day set aside for honoring the dead. READ MORE