When challenged by the scribes to name the most important of the commandments, Jesus begins by quoting the prayer that is known as the Shema Yisrael for its opening words: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” To this day observant Jews consider the Shema their most important prayer, reciting it twice daily, and it is traditional for Jews to recite it as their last words. If we want to understand the life and times of Jesus, a good place to start is to learn about Judaism. Study up today!

TODAY’S READINGS: Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34
“You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other.’ ”