Commandments and Community

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine the sincerity of our conversion and our commitment to full life in our community.

Community Care

The Reading from the Prophet Hosea exhorts us to Sincere Conversion and New Life.

* [14:1] Samaria: the capital of the Northern Kingdom will fall; this is the punishment predicted for Ephraim, the Northern Kingdom.

* [14:4] These good intentions promise a reversal of Israel’s sins: no more reliance on “Assyria,” i.e., on foreign alliances (see notes on 8:9 and 12:2), on “horses,” i.e., on human power (10:13), and on idolatry (8:4–6; 13:2). Israel will trust in the Lord alone.

* [14:9] Verdant cypress tree: the symbol of lasting life, the opposite of the sacred trees of the Baal cult (4:13). The Lord provides the “fruit” (peri) to Israel (2:7, 10), another instance of the wordplay on Ephraim (see notes on 9:16 and 13:15).

* [14:10] A challenge to the reader in the style of the wisdom literature. (Hosea, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 81 tells how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt.

* [Psalm 81] At a pilgrimage feast, probably harvest in the fall, the people assemble in the Temple in accord with the Sinai ordinances (Ps 81:2–6). They hear a divine word (mediated by a Temple speaker) telling how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt (Ps 81:7–9), gave them the fundamental commandment of fidelity (Ps 81:9–11), which would bring punishment if they refused to obey (Ps 81:12–13). But if Israel repents, God will be with them once again, bestowing protection and fertility (Ps 81:14–16). (Psalms, PSALM 81 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus teaches The Greatest Commandment.

* [12:13–34] In the ensuing conflicts (cf. also Mk 2:1–3:6) Jesus vanquishes his adversaries by his responses to their questions and reduces them to silence (Mk 12:34). (Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly comments that repentance is not so much about confession of guilt as it is drawing closer to God to better hear God’s voice. 

It is not about me trying so hard. It is about me letting the Lord be my God. That should be a joyful spiritual discipline, not a burden.

Jesus reminds us of what we need to hear. We must love the Lord our God with all our hearts, our understanding, and our strength. And we must love our neighbors as ourselves. I pray today that when we are called to repent, we can see this as an invitation to enter into joy, for the Kingdom of heaven is indeed at hand when we love the Lord, ourselves, and our neighbors. (Dilly, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The fire of God's love,” by Augustine of Hippo,354-430 A.D.

"Gravity keeps everything in its own place. Fire climbs up, while a stone goes down. Elements that are not in their own place are restless until they find it. This applies also to us. My weight is my love; wherever I go, I am driven by it. By the love of God we catch fire ourselves and, by moving up, find our place and our rest." (excerpt from Confessions 13,9) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Hosea speaks of return to the Lord and not putting trust in the Assyrians and idols. What more do the Israelites have to do with idols? God wants what is good for them. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus tells the scribe the Shema Israel is the first commandment. Friar Jude explains the key areas of love of God: the heart; where in Jesus' time, was where you thought; soul indicating to love God in persecution; mind is love through conscience; and strength is using your physical possessions to love God. Jesus affirms that the scribe realizes the truth places him close to the Kingdom. 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 12:28-34 comments that our love for God is not meant to be static or theoretical. Our relationship with him should be the foundation for everything else in our lives. It should bear fruit in the way we treat everyone created in God’s image and likeness. In fact, the whole Law provides specific direction on how to live out our love for him, especially in the way in which we relate to other people. And so Jesus adds this second commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).

So often we want Jesus to give us some new way to become holy. We want a fresh spirituality or a challenging mission. But you can love God and your neighbor right where you are now. You can honor the image and likeness of God in the person right in front of you. You can take care of the most vulnerable of his children. You can show mercy just as he does. It’s simple, and it’s “worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33).

“Jesus, I long to grow in love for you and to show that love to every one of your children who crosses my path.” (Meditation on Mark 12:28-34, n.d.)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how moving beyond an emphasis on personal sin allows us to focus on larger forces at play that create systemic harm.

If we are honest and perceptive, we surely see that actual evil often seems to “dominate the very air” (a phrase found in Pauline texts such as Ephesians 2:2) and is more the norm than the exception. In fact, evil is often culturally agreed-upon, admired, and deemed necessary, as is normally the case when a country goes to war, spends most of its budget on armaments, admires luxuries over necessities, entertains itself to death, or pollutes its own common water and air. Evil seems to be corporate, admired, and deemed necessary before it becomes personal and shameable.

Sin and evil must be more than personal or private matters. Convicting people of individual faults does not change the world. I believe the apostle Paul taught that both sin and salvation are, first of all, corporate realities. Yet, we largely missed that essential point, and thus found ourselves in the tight grip of monstrous evils in Christian nations, all the way down to the modern era. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to awaken our understanding of the error of transactional relationships with God and people that impede our need for conversion to full life relationships modelled by Jesus' total sacrificial love.

References

Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-march-13-2026 

Hosea, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hosea/14?2 

Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12?28 

Meditation on Mark 12:28-34. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/03/13/1518061/ 

Psalms, PSALM 81 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/81?6 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/collective-sin-and-evil/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are Not Far from the Kingdom of God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Feeding Our Frustration

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine our frustration over the response of God to our wants as the attention of Providence to our deeper needs is offered.

Providence and Pancakes

The Reading from the Book of Numbers describes Moses' frustration carrying the people.

Psalm 81 laments the hard hearted Israelites.

The Gospel of Matthew proclaims Jesus multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

Steve Scholer asks are we willing to share what we have with the poor and needy, or do we think a “miracle” will occur, and “out of the blue” one person will appear and satisfy the needs of all? Are we willing to help fill the sacks at the food pantry when called upon or share our earnings when the basket is passed in church?

Don Schwager quotes The Lord fills all things with blessing from above, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)

"So that by every means the Lord might be known to be God by nature, he multiplies what is little, and he looks up to heaven as though asking for the blessing from above. Now he does this out of the divine economy, for our sakes. For he himself is the one who fills all things, the true blessing from above and from the Father. But, so that we might learn that when we are in charge of the table and are preparing to break the loaves, we ought to bring them to God with hands upraised and bring down upon them the blessing from above, he became for us the beginning and pattern and way." (excerpt from FRAGMENT 177)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today. In the Book of Numbers, Israelites cry for nothing to eat and Manna is not satisfying them. They complained and the time in the desert was about ingratitude. Moses doesn't deserve this! Jesus needs to give the crowd something to eat and feeds the entire crowd sitting on grass to invoke Psalm 23. A social miracle was not intended but a nature miracle and a multitude of people. Friar Jude notes this multiplication for Jews with twelve baskets left over and in second, loaves and fish for Gentiles with seven baskets left over.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC faculty emerita Cynthia Bourgeault who understands Jesus through the lineage of Jewish wisdom teachers.

We seek the Wisdom of the Spirit to affirm our faith in the Providence of God for all peoples offered to address our specific needs.

Peace People Perfection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today recognize our desire for peace and our timidity under tension.

Gimme Shelter

The Reading from the Book of Leviticus proclaims a Jubilee.

Psalm 81 declares all the nations will praise the Lord.

The Gospel of Matthew presents the martyrdom of John the Baptist.

Suzanne Braddock reflects on how a thoughtless promise sprung from misguided desires and fear of losing status resulted in a gruesome outcome.

Don Schwager quotes “Integrity is a hardship for the morally corrupt,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD)

"John aroused Herod by his moral admonitions, not by any formal accusation. He wanted to correct, not to suppress. Herod, however, preferred to suppress rather than be reconciled. To those who are held captive, the freedom of the one innocent of wrongdoing becomes hateful. Virtue is undesirable to those who are immoral; holiness is abhorrent to those who are impious; chastity is an enemy to those who are impure; integrity is a hardship for those who are corrupt; frugality runs counter to those who are self-indulgent; mercy is intolerable to those who are cruel, as is loving-kindness to those who are pitiless and justice to those who are unjust. The Evangelist indicates this when he says, "John said to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have the wife of your brother Philip.'" This is where John runs into trouble. He who admonishes those who are evil gives offense. He who repudiates wrongdoers runs into trouble. John was saying what was proper of the law, what was proper of justice, what was proper of salvation and what was proper certainly not of hatred but of love. And look at the reward he received from the ungodly for his loving concern!" (excerpt from SERMONS 127.6-7)

[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century]

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Maria Shriver who invites readers to discern how we can engage with our imperfect world.

We ponder the false path of seeking perfection and seek the guidance of the Spirit to find peace in our service to the people we encounter on our journey.

Reunion and Rejection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to participate in the gathering of people in faith and to meet a sense of rejection with humility.

Reality and Reunion

The Reading from the Book of Leviticus describes the festivals of the LORD.

Psalm 81 proclaims a pilgrimage feast as the people assemble in the Temple

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus' rejection at Nazareth.

David Crawford asks how often do we fail to hear when God speaks through someone we already have devalued because of our own preconceptions about what that individual has to offer?

Don Schwager quotes “Few miracles done because of their unbelief”, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

"It seems to me that the production of miracles is similar in some ways to the case of physical things. Cultivation is not sufficient to produce a harvest of fruits unless the soil, or rather the atmosphere, cooperates to this end. And the atmosphere of itself is not sufficient to produce a harvest without cultivation. The one who providentially orders creation did not design things to spring up from the earth without cultivation. Only in the first instance did he do so when he said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, with the seed sowing according to its kind and according to its likeness' (Genesis 1:11). It is just this way in regard to the production of miracles. The complete work resulting in a healing is not displayed without those being healed exercising faith. Faith, of whatever quality it might be, does not produce a healing without divine power.' (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.19)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today and the Law concerning the feasts of Israel. Jesus is teaching in the Synagogue and the family of Jesus is present and “prophets are not without honour except in their native place”.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Anne Lamott who found comfort in St. Paul’s struggle to accept his own imperfection.

We are imperfect agents of the love, mercy, and compassion of Christ who rely on the Spirit to guide our relationships toward peace, acceptance, and service.

Repent and Restore

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today restate our tendency to deviate from the love of God and neighbour and reaffirm the desire of God to rekindle our faith, hope, and charity.

Building Community

The reading from the Prophet Hosea is a Plea for Repentance and an Assurance of Forgiveness.

* [14:4] These good intentions promise a reversal of Israel’s sins: no more reliance on “Assyria,” i.e., on foreign alliances (see notes on 8:9 and 12:2), on “horses,” i.e., on human power (10:13), and on idolatry (8:4–6; 13:2). Israel will trust in the Lord alone.

* [14:9] Verdant cypress tree: the symbol of lasting life, the opposite of the sacred trees of the Baal cult (4:13). The Lord provides the “fruit” (peri) to Israel (2:7, 10), another instance of the wordplay on Ephraim (see notes on 9:16 and 13:15).

* [14:10] A challenge to the reader in the style of the wisdom literature. (Hosea, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 81 is God’s Appeal to Stubborn Israel.

* [Psalm 81] At a pilgrimage feast, probably harvest in the fall, the people assemble in the Temple in accord with the Sinai ordinances (Ps 81:2–6). They hear a divine word (mediated by a Temple speaker) telling how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt (Ps 81:7–9), gave them the fundamental commandment of fidelity (Ps 81:9–11), which would bring punishment if they refused to obey (Ps 81:12–13). But if Israel repents, God will be with them once again, bestowing protection and fertility (Ps 81:14–16). (Psalms, PSALM 81 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus proclaims the First Commandment.

* [12:13–34] In the ensuing conflicts (cf. also Mk 2:1–3:6) Jesus vanquishes his adversaries by his responses to their questions and reduces them to silence (Mk 12:34).

* [12:13–17] See note on Mt 22:15–22.

* [12:18–27] See note on Mt 22:23–33.

* [12:28–34] See note on Mt 22:34–40. (Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Hopp comments that throughout today’s readings we see that it has always been mankind’s propensity to allow the world to lead us astray.   No matter how challenging it becomes, our only solution is to turn to Jesus,  to love our Savior wholeheartedly.  For He can and will provide us with the strength to maintain our unconditional focus upon our loving God. 

Dear Heavenly Father,  you know our hearts.  We truly desire to draw closer to you, to keep an unwavering focus upon you. Please help us to avoid the evil our world is tirelessly pushing upon us and those we love.  You are our strength and shield, and we rely on your help to cleanse us of all evil.  In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen. (Hopp, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The fire of God's love,” by Augustine of Hippo,354-430 A.D.

"Gravity keeps everything in its own place. Fire climbs up, while a stone goes down. Elements that are not in their own place are restless until they find it. This applies also to us. My weight is my love; wherever I go, I am driven by it. By the love of God we catch fire ourselves and, by moving up, find our place and our rest." (excerpt from Confessions 13,9) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hosea 14:2-10 comments that our words of repentance, whether spoken in the confessional or in the silence of our hearts at prayer, have the power to unlock the chains that have dragged us down. It’s not always easy, though, to find the right words. But that doesn’t matter to the Lord. Just say whatever comes to your heart. Return to me! God implores. I am ready to forgive.

I will heal their defection (14:5). Not only will God forgive us, but he promises to gradually heal us of the urges and drives that cause us to sin. Every time we turn to him and encounter his love, our hearts melt a little bit more, and we find it a little bit easier to act out of love instead of selfishness. Can you hear him crying out? Return to me! Come and be healed!

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” (Meditation on Hosea 14:2-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler refers to the pattern of infidelity that Hosea ascribes to Israel that resonants with the behaviour of his wife. Israel will not find security in Assyria and they have to walk in the paths of God. Friar Jude notes that Jesus defines love of God with our intelligence, during persecution, and with our possessions, like the Shema, and adds our mind or conscience.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, reminds us that regular contemplative practice is not an end in and of itself, but for the sake of solidarity with the suffering of the world. We’ve spent much of our history of contemplation seeking individually pure motivation. That’s a real temptation, but are we really going to spend the years ahead seeking only to be motivated to love Jesus on some private level? What does it even mean to love Jesus? What is the positive act of love?

When we are in silent meditation or prayer, that’s what we’re praying is growing inside of us. As we let go of false motivations, and false, ego-based concerns, we’ve got to pray, hope, and desire for an increase in compassion, in caring, in solidarity with human suffering.   

I believe that’s what the cross means. The raised arms of Jesus are an act of solidarity and compassion with the human situation. So, as we sit in silence this morning and every morning, let’s pray that’s what we’re praying for: an increase in compassion by letting go of false purity codes and agendas, which we think make us holy or worthy of God’s love. It doesn’t matter if we have perfect motivation or a perfect practice. What is motivating us? Instead of perfection, let’s look for growth. Ultimately, we only see that growth over time as we grow in communion with those who suffer, grow in solidarity with human and beyond-human pain, and with the tears of things.  (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to enlighten our examination of our actions that have lacked the love, compassion, and mercy that identify us as ambassadors of Christ.

References

Hopp, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 28, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032825.html 

Hosea, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hosea/14?2 

Mark, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/12?28 

Meditation on Hosea 14:2-10. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 28, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/28/1236181/ 

Psalms, PSALM 81 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 28, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/81?6 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Contemplation: A Path to Compassion. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 28, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/contemplation-a-path-to-compassion/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Are Not Far from the Kingdom of God. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 28, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar28