THURSDAY
CONFESSION: Psalm 38:21-22
READING: Mark 12:28-37
REFLECTION: (Irenaeus Against Heresies) Irenaeus of Lyons
Love for God is the first and greatest commandment and the next is love towards our neighbour. The Lord taught that the entire law and the prophets hang upon these two commandments. He did not Himself bring down [from heaven] any other commandment greater than this one but renewed this very same one to His disciples when He enjoined them to love God with all their heart and others as themselves.
Paul, in like manner, declares that “love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Rom 13:10 nrsv) And [he declares] that when all other things have been destroyed, “faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13 nrsv). Apart from the love of God, knowledge avails nothing—nor the understanding of mysteries, nor faith, nor prophecy.… For we do never cease from loving God; but in proportion as we continue to contemplate Him, so much the more do we love Him.
RESPONSE/CHALLENGE
In Mark 12:28–37, Jesus references two commandments given to the Israelites immediately following the Ten Commandments of Deuteronomy 5. How does the commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart sum up the other Ten Commandments? Does your life demonstrate this love?