You are not far from the Kingdom of God.

Mark 12: 28-34
One of the scribes, came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Introductory Prayer: “Lord, I believe in you: help me to believe more firmly. I trust in you: help me to trust more surely. I love you: help me to love you more ardently. I am sorry for my sins: help me to deepen my sorrow” (from the Universal Prayer of Pope Clement XI).

Petition: Lord, grant me the grace to live with perfection my baptismal promises until the day I meet you in eternity.

1. Baptismal Promises
At baptism we promise, or our parents promise on our behalf, to complete the two commandments Christ speaks of: “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor.” The opening rite of the baptismal ceremony states, “It will be your duty to bring them up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor.” During the blessings over the ears and mouth the rite reads, “May he touch your ears to receive his word and your mouth to proclaim his faith.” Because we were baptized it is our duty to grow daily in our love for God and proclaim our faith in him.

2. Love of God
Have you ever come across a couple celebrating their 50th, 60th, or 70th wedding anniversary? They may tell you that their love for each other is stronger now than it was on their wedding day. Why is this? They grew in love for each other every day they were together, even amidst very trying times. Our love for God needs to be very similar. On the day of our baptism we are united to Christ for the first time, and we are called to grow daily in love for him. The Church gives us effective means to keep this love fresh: the Eucharist, confession, prayer, holy mentors who guide our lives, the example of the saints, and the protection of the Blessed Mother. Today is a great day to grow in our love for the Lord so that you can “love him with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

3. Love of Neighbor
What is the greatest act of love we can show to our neighbor? Spending time with them? Helping them financially? Having fun with them? These are all nice gestures, but they fall short of the neighborly love we promise Christ the day we are baptized. Christ “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). The greatest act of love we can have for our neighbors is to use our time, treasure and talent to help them achieve salvation, winning them for the Kingdom of Christ. What a noble way to spend the short time we have on this earth.

Conversation with Christ: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of faith which you deposited in my soul on the day of my baptism. Grant me the grace to grow daily in my love for you, and inflame my heart to see all people as souls in need of your friendship.

Resolution: I will speak to a friend or family member about what it truly means to be baptized.