I know someone who was known for his devout adherence to Lenten traditions, meticulously fasting and abstaining from meat on Fridays. Despite his outward displays of piety, he was often abrasive and unkind to his coworkers and family. This incongruity raised a poignant question: What holds greater importance: adherence to customs or genuine love for God and fellowmen?

It’s evident that Jesus prioritized love over mere adherence to rituals. He chastised the Pharisees for their hypocrisy in neglecting the weightier matters of the law like justice and mercy. Jesus emphasized the significance of loving God and one’s neighbor above all else. True spirituality lies not in the performance of rituals but in the authenticity of one’s relationships and actions.

So while customs and traditions may have their place, they are always secondary to the fundamental commandments of love. Let’s all be reminded that true devotion is measured by our genuine love of God and the compassion we have for other people. 

Rex Mendoza (rex.mendoza@yahoo.com)

reflect

Do you find yourself guilty of prioritizing customs and traditions over love for God, family, and coworkers?

Lord, help me focus on what truly matters—my faith, and my love for You and for all people whose lives I touch in my lifetime.

St. Conon of Naso, pray for us.

The prophet Hosea’s writings are unique among all the prophetic writings. He focuses on a God of love, one of the first writers to do so in Israel’s history. The words used to describe God in the Old Testament usually invoke power, judgment, and other strong images. Love is more likely to be the domain of the women of the Scriptures. However, Hosea places love squarely at the heart of God’s character and being. And he is right to do this. 

² Thus says the Lord: Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. ³ Take with you words, and return to the Lord; Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls. ⁴ Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’ to the work of our hands; for in you the orphan finds compassion.” ⁵ I will heal their defection, says the Lord, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. ⁶ I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, ⁷ and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. ⁸ Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. ⁹ Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will prosper him. “I am like a verdant cypress tree”—because of me you bear fruit! ¹⁰ Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 81:6-8, 8-9, 10-11, 14, 17

R: I am the Lord your God: hear my voice. 

⁶ An unfamiliar speech I hear: ⁷ “I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. ⁸ In distress you called, and I rescued you.” (R) “Unseen, I answered you in thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. ⁹ Hear, my people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, will you not hear me?” (R) ¹⁰ “There shall be no strange god among you nor shall you worship any alien god. ¹¹ I, the Lord, am your God who led you forth from the land of Egypt.” (R) ¹⁴ “If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, ¹⁷ I would feed with the best of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would fill them.” (R)

Gospel | Mark 12:28-34

Our faith has two main components: love of God and love of neighbor. This is a comprehensive summary of the life of holiness. Let us keep this call in mind, especially when we struggle with the issues we face. Let us always increase the amount of love in all that we do. 

Gospel Acclamation

Repent, says the Lord; the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

²⁸ One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” ²⁹ Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! ³⁰ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ³¹ The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” ³² The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. ³³ And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” ³⁴ And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Reflect:

How much have you loved today? How do you make love a way of life?

Read the Bible in one year! Read EXODUS 4 - 6 today.

When was the last time we truly listened? Perhaps we do, but with the intention to reply and not to understand the other person. Or we do not because we are simply waiting for our time to talk. 

The Hebrew word “shema” precedes the statement of the great commandment. Obedience to God’s commands presupposes listening and understanding. Attentive listening is fundamental to any relationship—with God, with others, and with one’s deepest core.

Unfortunately, listening nowadays is difficult. Why? Because loving is hard. There are so many competing and conflicting voices and noises from within, in our surroundings, and on social media. Rather than listen, we prefer to join the bandwagon, judge, or justify. Listening makes us susceptible and puts us on the receiving end.

But, paradoxically, only those who listen can become good disciples. The age-old reminder is crucial: We have two ears and only one tongue so that we may hear more and speak less. True listening involves being perceptive and responsive to what is left unsaid by the beloved. 

Fr. Paolo Asprer, SSP

reflection question

When did you last spend some time to listen to God in prayer? 

Lord, open the ears of my heart. Help me align my mind, heart, and will with Yours. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________