Love God, Love Your Neighbor

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he 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

The first and most important commandments are straight forward. Love God and love your neighbor. There is no room for hate, none at all. We can't be following the Lord and hating anyone. We are to love, despite our discomfort, despite our fears and despite our fears and lack of understanding. We are to love all neighbors, those of different races, cultures and languages as well as those whose orientation, occupation or gender identity confuse us. In this time of cruel words and the freedom to hate demonstratively, we are called to love despite it all.

Loving Creator, source of all freedom

you made us in your diverse, wonderful image

you put your spirit within every person here

and you call us to love what you have made.

You have given us the freedom to hate and abuse

and we think it is free speech and essential

yet hate is not of you but of human ignorance

and we cannot call ourselves your followers.

Help us release all the hate and fear we hold

so that our arms can embrace the frightened

our voices can speak truth to the tyrants

and so that love can be our only work in these times. Amen