November 3, 2024
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Psalm 18
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 12:28b-34

Sum Up the Law!

In the time of Jesus Jewish people demanded their rabbis give a summary of the Law. It has been said there were 6oo precepts of the Jewish Law at the time. As my old scripture professor once said, “if anything was needed for salvation it was a good memory.” (Fr. Eugene Maly)

The Old Testament (Deuteronomy) gives a summary of its own. It is called the Shema’. “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone!” This is the basic principle of the Mosaic Law. It is the keynote. Since the Lord alone is God we must love Him with undivided heart. It is a creed. It reminds the people of their special relationship with the one true God.

When Jesus is asked to sum up the Law He states the Shema’ as the first law. Then He adds Lev. 19:18, the love of neighbor, as the second. The two are not the same. Love of God must be recognized first. Flowing from this is love of neighbor and self.

Love expresses itself in love of neighbor. Note the Scribe agrees care for others is greater than any other sacrifice.

Fr. Eugene Maly points out that to say “Lord” is more than to speak of a creator. It means “loving saving God” who has reached into our lives in deep and profound ways. Both Old Testament and New Testament say this. This action of God comes first! We cannot love God and Neighbor on our own. We must accept God loves us and loves us first. Accepting the Lord God’s love for us makes all love possible. It makes it possible to love God, neighbor and ourselves.

Both loves, love of God and of neighbor, sum up the Law.

Peace and blessings,
Father Bob
If you have been away from God or just from His Church consider being a part of this parish community, Blessed Sacrament Parish. Speak to the pastor, Fr. Bob. You may also speak to Gregory or Patricia who welcome people to the Church. Rectory, 954-564-1010

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Video Reflections

Each week Father Bob posts a Video Reflection on the Spiritual readings for the weekend Mass. These Videos are not intended to replace your prescence at mass each week! Much like Scripture Sharing on Thursday evening from 7 pm - 8 pm, these videos act as a point of reference to enhance your knowledge and better prepare you to participate in each weeks celebration.

Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.

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This Weeks Scripture Readings

November 3, 2024
Thirty-first Sunday in
Ordinary Time


Reading I
Dt 6:2-6
Moses spoke to the people, saying:
"Fear the LORD, your God,
and keep, throughout the days of your lives,
all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you,
and thus have long life.
Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them,
that you may grow and prosper the more,
in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers,
to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!
Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your strength.
Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today."

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 18
R. (2)     I love you, Lord, my strength.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
     O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
My God, my rock of refuge,      my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
     and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
The LORD lives! And blessed be my rock!
     Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
     and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

Reading II
Heb 7:23-28
Brothers and sisters:
The levitical priests were many
because they were prevented by death from remaining in office,
but Jesus, because he remains forever,
has a priesthood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him,
since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:
holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,
higher than the heavens.
He has no need, as did the high priests,
to offer sacrifice day after day,
first for his own sins and then for those of the people;
he did that once for all when he offered himself.
For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,
but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,
appoints a son,
who has been made perfect forever.

Alleluia
Jn 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord;
and my father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Gospel
Mk 12:28b-34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
"Which is the first of all the commandments?"
Jesus replied, "The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these."
The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
'He is One and there is no other than he.'
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."
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.

Next Weeks Readings

November 10, 2024
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Kings 17:10-16
Psalm 146
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44



Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace

Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; "With war everything is lost". Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.

Amen