Close to God

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and 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.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. Mark 12:28-34 

This time of year, in this place on the edge of the Atlantic, is a wonderful time to watch the meteor showers. As a kid and young adult, my friends and I would watch from the dunes for hours, saying little, carefully observing the heavens. Throughout my life, these moments have been times when I felt very close to God and to all of creation. There is also something very wonderful and tender about having shared these times with my husband and children. And I hope to share them with my grandchildren.

Jesus is questoined by a scribe who was attentive and aware that someone remarkable was in his presence. He wanted to affirm the greatest commandments, which were to love God and love your neighbor. These simple guides bring us closest to God. It seems so simply, but so many folks want to love other ways and things, before God and neighbor. Many want to judge and condemn before loving and understandign. We are invited to hear that if we would change our world and draw close to God, we must love fiercely, both God and neighbor.

Today I ask God to help me draw near to the Creator and to my neighbor, even those who vex and challenge me. May we draw close to the Holy and in doing so, bring love to the world.