When one of the scribes asks which is the first of all the commandments? Jesus answers by bringing back the teaching of Moses to the people of Israel, the Shema: “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.” But Jesus also adds the love of neighbor and yourself as an extension to it. The scribe gets it; he knows that these two double commandments of love are the greatest; and far superior to any exterior worship, “worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

What do you want me to do for you? The question Jesus asks the blind man is the same He presents to James and John last Sunday. The blind beggar answers in a simple direct way: "I want to see." The touching account of the healing of Bartimaeus reminds us what Jesus asks us also, what do you want me to do for you? Let us learn from Bartimaeus. Have the courage to approach Jesus, do not be afraid to bring our illness, helplessness, and blindness to Him. But also have the faith of Bartimaeus and persevere in praying. Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find - knock, and the door will be opened to you. (Mt. 7:7)

The readings of this Sunday have the theme of the wisdom of God. The first reading from the Wisdom of Solomon written a century before the birth of our Lord speaks in the voice of Solomon himself. The Lord tells the young Solomon to ask for anything he wants. Without any hesitation, he chooses wisdom. (2 Chr. 1:10) This text is what he must be referring to when he says, I prayed, and prudence was given me, I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. Yes, divine wisdom is more valuable than anything else gold, precious stone, health, beauty, power, and prestige. In comparison to divine wisdom, all these are worthless.

More than ever in our society: the institution of marriage continues to be questioned: Two trends exist. The first are those who no longer see the value of marriage as an essential foundation of family life and as the basic unit of society. Marriage is a personal option or preference, which can be permanent, or nor, in any case, it is not as important to them. The second trend belongs to those who espouse gay rights, who insist that samesex union is equivalent to marriage; and is an essential foundation for family life and society. They see this right as necessary, and denial of such a right to marriage is an injustice. Even though these erroneous trends seem contradictory, they both contribute to the confusion about the real meaning and nature of marriage. Today’s readings bring us to the heart of the matter by giving us a peek at the will of God and His beautiful plan for marriage.

Jesus tells in the Gospel last Sunday how to welcome the weakest members of the community. Whoever welcomes, one child such as this in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes, not me but the One who sent me. The Gospel this Sunday picks up on this: John sees someone expelling an unclean spirit using the name of Jesus. The man is an outsider, the disciples tried to stop him, but Jesus says: Anyone who is not against us is with is. It’s easier for the disciples to accept a little child because they pose no threat to them. But welcoming another person practicing a powerful ministry who is not in their company is too much to accept. They think that exorcism is a privileged ministry for them alone. Their envy blinded them to the good works done by another person, not in their company.

A week after the scene of the famous confession of Peter and the first passion prediction, Jesus reiterated His coming suffering, death, and resurrection. As they return to Capernaum, Jesus asks them what they were arguing about along the way. They argued among themselves, who is the greatest? Since Peter seems to be the unofficial leader, they expect him to give them an answer. But instead, Jesus gives them an unexpected answer; If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. Meaning, the greatest does not think of himself to be the first in the eyes of God. He does not expect to be the leader but serves the least among all.

The Gospel last Sunday shows us the compassionate and personal love of God for us. This generous gift of divine love demands a wholehearted response from us. Accepting God, loving Him means embracing the mission entrusted to us, even if it means a sacrifice. Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, follow me. It means going beyond our comfort zone, denying ourselves, and carrying our cross. Love of neighbor means walking our talk, making sacrifices, especially for those in need.

Isaiah describes the people of Israel rejoicing because the Lord came to their aid and saved them. The Lord’s presence vindicated them from the eyes of their enemies. Israel experiences a transformation as they acknowledge God’s saving power. He removes the ills of Israel – a spiritual freedom people experience when the Messiah comes. In the Messianic time, the deaf can hear, and the mute can speak. When Christ came, He fulfilled all the Messianic prophesies, cited in Lk. 7:22, Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind sees, cripples walk, healing of lepers, the deaf hears, the dead resurrected to life, and the good news proclaimed to the poor.