6 Jun
Thu 		9th Week in Ordinary Time
2 Tim. 2:8-15
Ps. 25:4-5,8-10,14
Mk. 12:28b-34
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Say the daily
Novena to the Sacred Heart

The question that the scribe asked Jesus was one that was a living issue in Jewish thought and discussion. It was often a matter of debate in the rabbinic schools. "Which commandment is the first of all?"

Instead of falling into old cliche and petty discussions Jesus, rises above them and reveals the radicalness of the first commandment. He quotes the beginning of the daily prayer of the Jews (Dt. 6:4-5) and concretizes it in the second commandment (Lev. 19:18). These two great commandments are well known. But Jesus combined them as one Law. For Him love of neighbour arises out of one's love for God. The one flows directly and necessarily from the other.

Jesus Himself showed in His life and death the quality of this two-fold love. His love for God motivated His total dedication to His mission; His love for humankind was that of the one who had come to serve and lay down His life for humankind.

Often it is much easier for us to say that we love God. The difficulty lies, however, in manifesting this love towards those around us including non-Christians. This is our challenge as Christians.


Lord, grant me a more complete participation in Your great love.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That the leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.

While respecting others' beliefs, all religions are called on to form a spiritual United Nations under the common denominator of belief in God who unites us all. We as believers are asked to place our particular faith at the service of the common human good.

This religious goal of humanism should manifest itself in healthy co-operation and not mere coexistence among all the men and women in the world. The universal criterion for achieving a basic common denominator among all the religions is moving from instinctive and sentimental dimensions to social and spiritual ones. And the influence of religions on millions of people is so deep it can be said that without religious peace there cannot be world peace. "Religion and peace go together: unleashing a war in the name of religion is an obvious contradiction". (John Paul II).

Therefore, we must neutralise our disorderly inclinations: selfishness, pride, ambition, lust for money and power, self-sufficiency, a superiority complex. We cannot be at peace with ourselves if we are not at peace with God.



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