Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Three Year Lectionary—Series B) (Proper 26B)

Deuteronomy 6:1–9
Psalm 119:1-8
Hebrews 9:11–14 (15–22)
Mark 12:28–37

Enter the Kingdom of God by the Love of Christ, Who Has Fulfilled the Law for You

True and lasting life is found only in the Lord our God. Fear, love and trust in Him, therefore, “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” As His Words are spoken to you, so “teach them diligently to your children,” and lay them upon your heart “all the days of your life,” confessing them as “you walk by the way” (Deut 6:2–7). To love the one true God above all else, and “your neighbor as yourself,” is the sum of the whole Law, which is fulfilled in Christ Jesus (Mark 12:29–31). In perfect love for His Father, and in love for His neighbors, He has gone to the cross and poured out His life, “much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices,” that we might draw near and enter “the kingdom of God” in Him (Mark 12:33–34). For He is the merciful and great High Priest who “offered Himself without blemish to God,” who thus secured an eternal redemption for all “by means of His own blood” (Heb. 9:11–14). “This is the blood of the covenant,” which is for you, for the forgiveness of all your sins (Heb. 9:20–22).