Homily for Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent

The Scribes are often depicted as opponents of Jesus; however, in today's encounter, they find common ground. Jesus tells the Scribe, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." They agree on the two great commandments of the Law. The first commandment instructs us to love God, while the second commands us to love our neighbor. The highest form of love is reserved for God.

The two commandments differ in the intensity of love required. We must love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Only God deserves our absolute love. To love God in this manner means to be enveloped in God's love for humanity, which naturally leads us to the second commandment: loving our neighbor. This love for our neighbor directly reflects God's pure and total love for us.