Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD, his God, Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them. Praise the Lord, my soul!

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 22:34-40, today's readings).

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

The scholar who approaches Jesus does not ask out of a genuine desire but seeks to trap Jesus. Matthew tells us that the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, so the scholar goes to Jesus from a place of competitiveness and pride. Jesus answers with the Shema, a Jewish declaration of faith that is recited in the morning and evening. By responding this way, Jesus affirms the covenant between God and the Jewish people and their devotion to him. Jesus adds the commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself, and the two commandments are inseparable. In his genuine response to the scholar's test, Jesus is demonstrating just that: a loving relationship with God and with his neighbor.

Father in heaven, let me take to heart today's Gospel. Help me see what Jesus models as he responds to the scholar's insincerity. He doesn't criticize him for attempting to trick him but instead gives him what he asks for and adds even more. As I meet a similar tone in others, give me the grace to respond to them in the same way—sincerely and generously—meeting them where they are and bringing your grace to the interaction. Help me also, Lord, recognize when I am insincere with you and with others. "Teach me your paths, my God, guide me in your truth." Mary, Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.