February 8, 2013: Friday of the Third Week of Lent

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.

Reflection: Love

Araw araw, sa aking pagninilay sa mabuting balita, iba't ibang aral ang aking natatagpuan, iba't ibang katotohonan ang aking napapagtanto at iba't ibang pakiramdam ang aking nararanasan. Ngunit sa dami ng laman ng bibliya na mga batas, turo at aral, alin nga ba dito ang pinakamahalaga? At sa araw na ito, ibinigay ni Hesus ang higit na mahalaga sa lahat ng ito, ang magmahal, magmahal sa isang Diyos at magmahal sa kapwa. If you know how to love then you already know what is the message of the whole bible. Because my dear brothers and sisters the bible is the love letter of God to His people. And all the lessons, stories and teachings there is all about love. And maybe this is the message of Lent, that it is not just about sacrifice but it is all about love. A love that elaborates that God is ready to accept you, us in His kingdom no matter what happen. Kaya mga kapatid, itanong natin sa ating sarili, bukod sa pagfafasting, pagaabstinensya, naiparamdam ba natin sa ating kapawa na mahal natin sila, sa mga mahihirap, mga walang makain, walang tirahan, naiparamdam mo ba sa kanila ang pagmamahal? Sapagkat sa pagpaparamdam natin ng pagmamahal sa kanila, ipinararamdam na rin natin sa Diyos kung gaano natin siya kamahal. Amen.