The Heart of It All
Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Mark 12:28–34
In today’s Gospel, a scribe approaches Jesus with a sincere question: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” It’s a question that cuts through complexity and gets right to the heart of faith. Jesus doesn’t hesitate. He names the two great commandments that hold everything else together: Love God with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength—that is, with your entire being—and love your neighbor as yourself.
What’s striking is how simple—and how challenging—this really is. We often think holiness requires extraordinary feats, but Jesus reminds us that the spiritual life begins with love. Not abstract love, but lived love. Love that shows up in our tone of voice, our patience, our generosity, our willingness to forgive, and our attentiveness to those who feel unseen.
The scribe recognizes the beauty of Jesus’ answer and responds with humility. Jesus then tells him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” Not far—because he understands that faith is not about rule–keeping alone, but about allowing love to shape every part of life.
Lent invites us to return to this simplicity—to ask ourselves whether our choices, habits, and relationships reflect the love we profess. To let God’s love soften the places where we’ve grown rigid, hurried, or self–protective. To remember that every act of love—no matter how small—draws us closer to God's Kingdom.
When we love God fully, we naturally begin to love others more freely. And when we love others well, we discover that we are loving God in them. Everything is connected. Everything flows from love.
You are invited to reflect today about where is God inviting you to deepen your love—toward God, toward others, or even toward yourself? What simple act of love can you offer today that reflects the heart of Jesus’ teaching?
Lord God,
You call me to love with my whole heart.
Help me to root my life in your love
so that my words, choices, and
relationships reflect Your goodness.
Teach me to love You more deeply and to
love others with the compassion of Christ.
May this love guide me closer
to your Kingdom each day.
Amen.