Mark 12,28b-34

Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel: Mark 12,28b-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.

Reflection
Love is the language of the gospel and the very language of Jesus. We are created out love and not out of hate. Also, this Jesus is the very image of God’s love. Jesus is Love. Love is not just a commandment, it is a person. When we love, we share Jesus. We give altruistically like Jesus. We are capable of loving others because God has loved us. We learn from the ways of God. Now, Jesus said, “’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ If our bodies would only cry out to us, what would be their lamentations because of all our abuses and uncaring behavior towards ourselves? When we help people, we do more than what is expected of us, the extra mile. It is about time to take care of ourselves too.

Lasallian Guiding Principle
LGP states that zeal is “for the integral salvation of all.” I love this part since it talks about the realization of service learning. We can only transform and be is instruments of God’s salvation if we are collaborating with the units to effect a sustainable development and growth of our communities. This is about time to consider all our talents, expertise, skills, generous hearts to transform the lives of more communities especially as we participate in the DLSP project – Lasallian Zero Extreme Poverty Philippines in the year 2030.

Prayer for the Tercentenary of the Founder’s passing to Eternal Life (adapted)
God, our Father and Mother, You love us with endless mercy. You call us to be your sons and daughters.
Give us a generous heart. A heart of flesh that “burns within us.” A heart always willing to love. A compassionate heart for those who suffer. A heart where there is a place for all Lasallians around the world. Lord Jesus, You call us to follow you. Give us the courage to live our commitment. Teach us to go beyond our borders. Teach us to discover you in the lowliest. Teach us to look with the eyes of faith. Teach us to share our mission with all Lasallians of the whole world.
Holy Spirit, You call us to live with joy. Fill us with your grace to live the values of the Gospel. Fill us with your grace to be active members in your Church. Fill us with your grace so that we may be credible witnesses, together with the entire Lasallian Family, in the midst of our world.
Together and by association, we wish to renew our Lasallian commitment, and, in an attitude of thanksgiving, celebrate these 300 years of life.
We ask this through Mary’s intercession, Queen and Mother of the Christian Schools. And through the intercession of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Universal Patron of Christian Educators. Amen.
Let us pray with one Lasallian Heart whose Commitment is to nurture Life. Now, in a very special way, we pray for the complete healing of our Brother Superior General, Br. Bob Schieler FSC.
We entrust Him to Your power. Touch him oh Divine Physician with Your healing hands. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary (3X) and Glory Be.
Our Lady of the Star, pray for us.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Value: Zeal for Service (Nurturing Service)
Culture Theme: We give selflessly and receive graciously
Productivity Theme: Going to the extra mile
Week 1: We advocate community-oriented health education.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved February 28, 2019, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/
Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.

Prepared: Lorenzo Alvin T. Capio
through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages, Lasallian Formation and Social Action

Our Daily Lasallian Reflection and Prayer is DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.