How To Live Well And Forever

 

Sure way to draw to God is to go through Jesus Christ.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B, Nov. 3rd, 2024

Texts: Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Psalm 18:2-4,47,53; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28-34

Today we reflect on how to live well and forever. We live well and forever if we live with the fear of the Lord all days of our lives. Hence,  in today’s first reading, Moses says, "Fear the  Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged.”

What does it mean to fear the Lord? Moses tells us that it is by keeping the commandments of God. This fear is not the consideration of evil that we befall us if we disobey God but His love. Such fear that arises from consideration of evil comes with apprehension, unhappiness,  anxiety and the likes. Such fear is not healthy but destructive. 

The fear of the Lord arises out of love and endears us to His commandments. We love Him and obey His commands. It means we revere or love the Lord that we resent disobeying Him. Hence, Jesus Christ says, “If you love Me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). St. John writes, “but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection” (1John 2:5).

If you love Me, keep my commandments

Moses, in the first reading, says, “Hear, O Israel: The  Lord our God is one  Lord; and you shall love the  Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Jesus Christ calls it the greatest commandments in today’s gospel reading. He completes it by saying, “The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'" Hence, if we love God and our neighbours we live well and forever.

When we love God and our neighbours on this earth, we are on the path to the kingdom of God. This is clear when Jesus said to the scribe thus: "You are not far from the kingdom of God." The scribe just affirmed that Jesus was right to emphasise the love of God and neighbours as the greatest commandment. We live well when we are on the path to God’s kingdom. And in God’s kingdom we live for ever. 

Sure way to draw to God 

Today’s second reading reminds us that the sure way to draw to God is to go through Jesus Christ. We read, “Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” The salvation in Jesus does not fail because He lives for ever. We shall also live for ever because He lives forever (cf. John 14:19; 1Cor. 15:22). Hence, drawing close to God through Jesus is to live for ever.

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift your faithful offer you right and praiseworthy service, grant, we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling to receive the things you have promised. Amen (Collect)

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke