Putting God First

Mar. 28: Friday of the Third Week of Lent

Putting God first in our lives isn’t always easy. Part of the challenge is simply recognizing His presence in our lives. But as we’ll see in the Gospel, recognition isn’t enough, either.

Reading 1

Hos 14:2-10

Thus says the LORD: Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. Take with you words, and return to the LORD; Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls. Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; We shall say no more, 'Our god,' to the work of our hands; for in you the orphan finds compassion."

I will heal their defection, says the LORD, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will prosper him. "I am like a verdant cypress tree"– Because of me you bear fruit!

Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the LORD, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them.

Israel had been relying on foreign nations (like Assyria) to protect them, rather than trusting in God. Once they turn away from false idols and self-worship, they'll once again be blessed by God.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17

R. (see 11 and 9a) I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
An unfamiliar speech I hear:
"I relieved his shoulder of the burden;
his hands were freed from the basket.
In distress you called, and I rescued you."
R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
"Unseen, I answered you in thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Hear, my people, and I will admonish you;
O Israel, will you not hear me?"
R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
"There shall be no strange god among you
nor shall you worship any alien god.
I, the LORD, am your God
who led you forth from the land of Egypt."
R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
"If only my people would hear me,
and Israel walk in my ways,
I would feed them with the best of wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would fill them."
R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.

This psalm was sung when the people gathered at the temple, during the fall harvest. A representative of the people spoke directly to God, whose voice is unlike any human's (“an unfamiliar speech”).

The purpose is to remind them why they worship God—He rescued them from Egypt. If they want a rich harvest, they ought to follow God's commands, including the most important—have no other gods before him.

Verse Before the Gospel

Mt 4:17

Repent, says the Lord;
the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The time to repent is always now.

Gospel

Mk 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.

“Which commandment is the most important?” was a regular debate among scribes and pharisees. Jesus’ first answer is one of the most common responses. But He does something unusual, but answering an unasked question—which is the second most important?

Jesus wants us to put God and the things of Heaven first, but we shouldn't neglect our neighbors here on Earth in this life.

Surprisingly, the scribe actually admits Jesus' answer is right. Jesus congratulates the learned man for being open to new education.

But noticed Jesus doesn't say, “You are in the kingdom of Heaven;” only that the guy is close. That's because merely understanding isn't enough. We have to actually act on our knowledge of what God wants us to do.