God is the overall First (HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II (JUNE 06 2024
God is the overall First (HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II (JUNE 06 2024) 2Tim.2:8-15; Ps.25; Mark 12:28b-34 Beloved in Christ, In the annals of history, the 'firsts' have always been celebrated: the inaugural driver, the pioneering governor, the founding president, the eldest in a community, the initial missionaries, the first priest, the premier university, the senior prefect, the chief of staff. These trailblazers, even after being succeeded, remain etched in our collective memory as milestones. This reverence for the 'first' is mirrored in our interactions within communities, where we naturally seek out the leader or the head. In today's Gospel, a Scribe, seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus' teachings, inquires about the foremost commandment. The implication is clear: align with the principal commandment, and all others will fall into place. Jesus' response is unequivocal: the greatest commandment is the love of God. Thi...