Mark 12:28–34
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with
one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him,
"Which commandment is the first of all?" Jesus answered, "The
first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall 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, 'You shall love
your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than
these." Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you
have truly said that 'he is one, and besides him there is no other'; and 'to
love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the
strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,' --this is much more
important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw
that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom
of God." After that no one dared to ask him any question."
Reflection
Does my prayer bring me into the kingdom of God?
Am I unenthusiastic about the things of God and dissatisfied?
Why?