4 November 2018 – The 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time
In the Gospel there is a scribe who comes forth and asks Jesus, “Which commandment is the first of all?” The scribes were the individuals whose life it was to study, meticulously copy, interpret, comment and debate on the Law of God. In ancient times, there were very few people who could read or write, the Scribes in their ability to do both were in a position of respect because of their knowledge, dedication and “appearance” of keeping the Law.
The Scribe in the Gospel comes forth and asks Jesus his question after listening to Jesus respond to a debate amongst the Sadducees. The Sadducees were the ones responsible for maintaining the temple and collecting the temple taxes. The Sadducees had come to Jesus asking about the resurrection: if there were 7 brothers who one by one married the same woman and each left her a widow without child, whose wife would she be in heaven. Jesus points out that they “know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.” (Mark 12:24) “For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (Mark 12:25) Jesus tells them: “[God] is not a God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.” (Mark 12:27)
The scribe upon hearing this is intrigued and asks… “Which commandment is the first of all?” Continue reading “The 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time”
