Greatest Commandment

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

Loving Creator, source of life

you teach us in the birdsong

and in the roar of the ocean

that love is our life in you.

You taught the way to thrive

you said drawing close to you

is drawing close to others

and you are known as we love.

We are too often selfish and afraid

finding safety in people like us

who agree with us, act like us

you are near as we love outcasts.

Help us to draw near to you now

by loving the stranger, the neighbor

and those we struggle to love

so that your love might shine in us today Amen.