MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 4 JUNE
June 4, 2026
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS INTO THE LIFE OF SAINT FRANCIS CARACCIOLO
June 4, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
4 JUNE, 2026
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.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
In Mark 12:28–34, a scribe asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus responds with simplicity and depth: love God completely and love your neighbour as yourself. These commandments are not separate paths but one way of life. Genuine love for God naturally overflows into love for others.
Jesus calls us to love with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is not a partial commitment but a total offering of ourselves. In daily life, this means placing God at the centre of our decisions, relationships, and priorities.
The scribe understands that love is greater than rituals and sacrifices. Jesus praises his insight, saying, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Faith is not merely about external practices; it is about allowing love to shape our thoughts, words, and actions.
This Gospel invites us to examine our hearts: Do we love God wholeheartedly? Do we treat others with compassion, patience, and kindness? The kingdom of God grows wherever love becomes our way of living.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, teach me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Remove anything that divides my heart or keeps me from following You fully. Help me to recognize Your presence in the people around me and to love them with sincerity and compassion. May my faith be more than words and rituals, becoming a living witness of love in action. Draw me closer to Your kingdom each day and make my life a reflection of Your greatest commandment. Amen
