Daily Gospel Reflection for June 8, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

I distinctly recall having to memorize the Ten Commandments in preparation for my First Holy Communion. It was a daunting project for my second grade mind, and I enlisted the aid of my mother’s foster mother to help me with the task.

Certainly, the Ten Commandments have an important place in our spiritual history. They are as relevant today as when Moses delivered them to his people so many centuries ago.

But Jesus asks even more from us. Rather than focusing solely on the “don’ts,” He encourages us to concentrate on what we should do. It is a call to love—first, the God Who created us; second, the neighbor who is our brother or sister on earth.

While these new commands may sound simple, they are far from easy. Every day, our love is tested. Whether it is the client who asks for more of our time than we think we can spare…or the child who tests our nerves…or the driver who cuts us off in traffic…there are plenty of people who try our patience. But we are called to love each of them, even those who transgress against us.

Such love can seem an impossible feat—and it would be, were it not for God’s grace. Christ stands ready to help us in moments of difficulty. It is God’s life within us that strengthens us for the journey of love.

It can take a lifetime to graduate from Jesus’s school of love. Thankfully, we can rest assured that God will never abandon us. He is eager to teach us all we need to know. And, as always, we can trust in His abiding love.

Ponder:

How is Jesus calling you to love this day?

Pray:

Dearest Lord, please open my eyes and expand my heart so that I can love as You wish me to love. Grant me the grace I need to love at all times, especially when it is hard.