3rd November: 4th before Advent: Mark 12 28-34
Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” “Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him, and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any further.
The people listening to Jesus’ teaching had been asking him questions. One of the teachers of the Jewish law realised Jesus was giving good answers, so he asked one of his own – “Which is the greatest commandment”. In his reply, Jesus summed up the whole of his message – the one on which the Christian Church is based. “Love God and love your neighbour”. If we follow that command, we shall be doing all that Jesus requires of us – loving God and loving our neighbour. To do this is not always easy. Loving someone means putting their needs before our own in all our dealings with them.
Think of how you can teach yourself to do this – even to those we don’t like very much – remembering that Jesus loves them all very much.
10th November; 3rd before Advent: Remembrance Sunday Mark 1 14-20
After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” And at once they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets. Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.
Today we read about Jesus calling men and women to follow him – not just along a road but in the way he related to human beings. He loved every single person he met on earth and he continues to love everyone who has lived in the past, is living now, and will live until the end of time. We are called to do the same – but how? It seems an impossible task. We can’t follow Jesus’ command to love without his help. In verse 17 of our short reading Jesus says “Follow me”. The way we can learn to love as Jesus loves is to follow his example. We learn to follow Jesus by trying to obey his teaching – the example he gave throughout his life – the things he did, and the things he said. Searching through the Gospel we can find so many things he will teach us.
Pray for the families who have lost loved ones, that they may be given strength to face each day.
17th November: 2nd before Advent: Mark 13 1-8
As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the magnificent stones and buildings!” “Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?” Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
In today’s reading we learn that Jesus warned his followers that things will not always be easy. There is trouble ahead. The comfort that people try to give is not always helpful. Jesus told his followers to follow only him and he will guide us through life safely and lovingly. Perhaps you know the chorus
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus; Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace”
Let us begin each day in prayer, turning our eyes upon Jesus – receiving from him the love and support he has promised to give us as we follow him.
24th November: Sunday before Advent: John 18 33-37
Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.” “Then You are a king!” Pilate said.
On this, the last Sunday of the Church’s year, we celebrate the Kingship of Christ. In these verses when we read of Jesus standing before Pilate not long before his crucifixion – but – he stood there, not in defeat, although he knew what was going to happen to him. Jesus stood before a man who thought he was in total control, but it was not so.
Read these few verses several times until you see Jesus – not as a captive standing before his prosecutor, but as one who was totally confident in the future, and in Good, who would not only support him through that day but in God who would raise him triumphant from all the earthly troubles into the presence of his heavenly Father for ever.
Have we the quiet confidence in the saving support and power of Jesus in our lives?