Friday, August 25, 2023  

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Today’s Scripture Reading 
Mark 12:28–34

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.(NRSV)

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Reflection
I read today’s passage, pause, and then read it again. It is so familiar, but oh, so very powerful.

I breathe in deeply and try to envision what it is to love God fully, with all of my heart.

When I’m distracted, disheartened, disillusioned, or in any way lose my way, I can return to the place in my heart that knows who and whose I am. And my heart is a gift that is worthy to God.

But, as they say, “Wait, there’s more!” Jesus says and does something extraordinary in tying the love of God and love of neighbor together, implying that God equates loving our neighbor to loving God. Moreover, loving ourselves, our neighbors, and loving God — the three completely interwoven — brings us to the threshold of God’s kingdom and welcomes us home.

If we’ve ever prayed “Please, God, show me the way,” this passage surely offers us the key.

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Prayer
God of love, you ask that I give my heart to you and to my neighbor. You show the way for me and for all whom you’ve created to be part of your abiding, infinite love. The reconciliation of the world is as direct as the lines of this passage. Help me fathom this revelation. Help me realize your truth in and through Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Written by Laura Sterkel, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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