Homily - food for thought

Friday of the Third Week of Lent – 13 March 2026
Readings:

  • Book of Hosea 14:2–10

  • Responsorial Psalm: Book of Psalms 81

  • Gospel: Gospel of Mark 12:28–34



Introduction 🌿

My dear friend, today the readings invite us to return to the heart of faith. Sometimes we complicate religion. We create many rules, many expectations, many debates. But in today’s Gospel, someone asks Jesus a simple question: “Which commandment is the first of all?”

And Jesus gives a very simple answer:
Love God. Love your neighbour.

In other words, faith is not about complicated theories. Faith is about love that becomes action.

Life Story 😄

A little boy once asked his grandmother,
“Gogo, how do I know if I love God?”

The grandmother replied,
“That’s easy. When you love God, you behave well.”

The boy thought for a moment and said,
“Then I think I love God only sometimes… mostly when you are watching me!”

The grandmother laughed and said,
“My child, God is always watching.”

Sometimes our love for God becomes like that child’s love—
strong when people are watching, but weaker when no one is looking.

But real love for God must live in the heart all the time.

The Word 📖

In the Gospel from Gospel of Mark 12:28–34, a scribe asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus answers by quoting the famous Jewish prayer known as the Shema:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

Then Jesus adds something equally important:

“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

Jesus is teaching something powerful: love of God and love of neighbour cannot be separated.

If we claim to love God but ignore people, something is wrong. Love for God must be visible in the way we treat others.

The first reading from Book of Hosea speaks about returning to the Lord. God promises healing, forgiveness, and new life. It reminds us that God does not reject those who return to Him with sincere hearts.

Lent is exactly that moment:
a season to return to God with love.

Three Practical Lessons for Today ✨

1. Love God with your whole life

Loving God is not just praying for five minutes. It means allowing God to guide our decisions, our words, and our priorities every day.

2. Love people intentionally

Sometimes we say we love humanity, but we struggle to love the person sitting next to us. Start with small acts: kindness, patience, forgiveness.

3. Return to God when you fail

The message of Book of Hosea is clear: God welcomes those who return. Do not stay far away because of guilt. Come back to God.

Inspirational Quote 🌟

“Love is the only force capable of transforming a rule into a relationship.”

Conclusion

My friend, Jesus tells us today that the greatest commandment is not complicated. It is simple but demanding:

Love God completely. Love your neighbour sincerely.

If we live this commandment, our faith becomes alive. Our prayers become meaningful. Our lives become a blessing to others.

And Jesus tells the scribe something beautiful:
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

May those words also be said about us.

Prayer 🙏

Lord our God,
You ask us to love You with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Help us to love You not only with words,
but with our actions and our daily lives.

Teach us to love our neighbours with kindness, patience, and compassion.

During this season of Lent,
bring our hearts back to You.

Heal us, guide us, and make us instruments of Your love.

Amen. ✨

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