Love God, Love Your Neighbor

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

It is easy to say, "love God and love your neighbor", but it is certainly hard to do. That simple phrase sums up what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Love is at the center of everything. We live in a very divide country, and if our neighbor is of a different political party, we think of them as the enemy. Loving God also means loving all of God's creation, including our messy neighbors, others' taste in decor, music and teams. There are just those who push our buttons and infuriate us, sometimes within our own families. The good news is that this is our daily work, our lifetime work and the way we follow Jesus. And Jesus walks in the midst of us, leading from the center, leading from the heart.

Creator God, fountain of love and life

you provide us with nourishment

place us in communities of support

and lead us in safety beside still waters.

Yu have showered us with love

often undeserved and always renewing

yet we often keep your blessings

and do not share what we have been given.

Help us to open our hearts and our hands

let us be ready to see enemies as neighbors

and strangers as truly your beloved

so we might make your love real in this world. Amen.