Word to the Wise
Friday, March 20, 2020 - 3rd Week of Lent - Fri
[Hos 14:2-10 and Mark 12:28b-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." [Mark]
The scribes get bad press for good reason in the gospels because they were among the principal adversaries of Jesus, along with the Chief Priests, the Elders and the Pharisees. We know, however, that there were some who, like Nicodemus, were open to Jesus, even if they couldn't be public about it. The scribes were not only experts in knowing the 613 precepts found in the Mosaic Law, but they were also able to read and write, a skill that was not universal in Jesus' time. As a result, they were like notaries who handled much of the official and commercial business in society. This put them in a position of considerable influence.
Debates over how to observe various precepts led to debates over the importance and ranking of the 613 precepts. In today's gospel passage, the scribe brings that debate to Jesus and was probably surprised that Jesus was thinking along the same lines as he was, which resulted in Jesus saying to the scribe, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
Lent is a good time to ask ourselves in regard to the observance of our Catholic faith: What is truly important? I have encountered well-intentioned folk who have become so wrapped up in "Catholic trivia" that they forget love of God and neighbor in their efforts to do this or that devotional act exactly and perfectly. When this takes hold of someone in a powerful way, it is called "scrupulosity." In Lent we can ask how anything we do as Catholics reflects love of God AND neighbor. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) should remind us that in our rush to get to church, we should not ignore our injured neighbor!! The idea is to get closer to the Kingdom of God, not to be champions of religious trivia! AMEN