March 9, 2018 Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent-B

Hosea 14:2-10

Psalm 81

Mark 12:28-34

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”  Mark 12:34

Lord, how happy the lawyer must have felt when you told him how close he was to God’s Kingdom.  He understood the big picture: the most important thing is to love God with everything you’ve got and love others as you love yourself.  He had this concept in his mind.  Did he put this grand scheme into action?  We’ll never know but you told him he had a good start.  Lord, I also know in my mind the two most important commandments.  Lent is a good time to do a self-check on how well I’m living them.  I must be careful to avoid too much focus on how I fall short.  A good plan would be to drop my shortcomings off in the confessional and move on.  I would take a huge step closer to you and your kingdom.  Dear Jesus, help me to be honest, positive and hopeful on my journey this Lent.  You are always at my side encouraging me to take the next step.  Amen.