Jesus' answer to the scribe's question stemmed from the Shema Israel ("Hear O Lord") as in Deut.6:4-6 which required every Jew to recite it in the morning and evening. However, Jesus modified the total devotion to love God by adding the command to love one's neighbour (Lev.19:18). For Jesus, the love for God is equal to love for neighbour as these are the two aspects of the same commandment. It is because we cannot love God if there is no love for neighbour.

When we experience the liberating love of God, we are able to overcome our self-centredness in order to love others.

In Mk.12:33, we are reminded that no amount of sacrifices and rituals can serve as a substitute of our love for God as in Hosea 6:6 (For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than the right offerings.)

In Paul's letter to Timothy (first reading) we are assured of God's ever-faithfulness to us even if we are unfaithful (v.13). How do we respond to such promise of God's unconditional love? Paul also gave his own personal experiences on how with Christ he could endure all things for the sake of God's people. Do we bear the burden of our deprived and marginalized brethren in our society? Do we share with them the Good News that God's love is liberating and compassionate.