The One Thing Necessary

Gospel: Mark 12: 35-38

Today's reading reminds us that our understanding of things like scripture, tradition, and truth are all provisional and limited.  It had been the unquestioned understanding of tradition that the Messiah was the son of David, and yet Jesus questions that tradition by his own appeal to scripture and the tradition.  That which had formerly been unquestioned is now questioned.

Similarly, it had been the unchanging law of dietary restrictions that formed the core and identity of belief in the one God, laws that people would rather die than violate - and yet those laws are no longer held to be binding.  The Temple had been the center of religious life, and yet religious life for Jews and Christians continues onward.  

So often we create idols out of that which is in reality provisional and unnecessary, things that are designed to bring us to the one thing necessary - God alone, and a life of loving-kindness extended outward to all.  We can make idols out of people, our own interpretation of things, buildings, rituals, and so many other things.  But be prepared for Jesus to come along and question it and move us toward the one thing necessary - God alone.