Daily Gospel Reflection for March 28, 2014

Today's Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

How awesome it must have been to hear Jesus say those words.  It is my hope to hear those words someday too.  And why did Jesus say this?  Because the man asking him questions was able to listen to Jesus and then respond with understanding.

One reason to read and study scripture is so we listen and then understand.  But we need to take it further to be “not far from the Kingdom of God.”  We need to put it into practice.

How quickly can I read a passage and think, “well, so and so needs this, let me send it to them”? While sometimes it is a verse of comfort or affirmation, sometimes it may be a nudge to get someone to change or see things your way.  Not quite the proper use of scripture.

The first question I like to ask when I read scripture is “What does this say to me?” Then prayer and thought as to what I need to do with the information.  Do I need to look at an area that needs work?  Is this an answer to a problem or question?  Do I need to tell someone else what I have learned?

Since we cannot have a conversation with Jesus the same way the scribe did, studying and praying scriptures is the next best thing.  And it will help us get closer to the Kingdom of God.

Ponder:

How can I use scripture to grow in understanding of what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God?

Pray:

Lord, like the scribe in the Gospel, teach me to listen to you and understand what you desire of me.  Show me how to respond to your word to you and all those you place in my path today.  Amen.

Copyright 2014 Deanna Bartalini