03-05-20

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 5, 2020
Scripture: Mark 12:28-31
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.”

Thought for the Day: This is Mark’s version of the Two Great Commandments, ideas very much rooted within the Judaism of Jesus’ childhood. Some have translated Commandment as Rule or Precept. I don’t know Greek well enough to know what the best translation might be. With that said, I find it interesting that Jesus “commands” love, as that seems strange. I do not believe it is love if it requires a command. If I’m being ordered to love, it feels like something other than love. This is where Religion and Rules can undermine the Relationship Jesus intended. This is why some people translate the word as Precept, for a Precept is a Principle, a fundamental idea or way of living. It might appear to be a rule, but not in the traditional sense of the word. Love is more like patterns in a dance where it can be fun and beautiful even when we are learning. It appears to me that Jesus wanted to strip away everything that had become confusing or misused, and just focus on the basics where life and joy could be found.

Prayer: Let me bring it down to the basics found in loving you, O Lord, and loving my neighbor. It might be real basic, but I’m pretty sure it will be challenging. Yet as I learn to love more deeply, I shall learn how to love amidst the complexities of life. Amen.

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