Scripture:

One of the Pharisees, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ”This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’ (Matthew 22. 23-40) 

Reflection:

The questioner, a Pharisee and a lawyer, is an expert on all things religious and legal. The Jewish faith is founded upon the Law of Moses and the teaching of the Prophets, and nobody is better versed in them than this man. He knows all the answers. But Love? For him this is unknown territory. We don’t have to be sophisticated theologians or lawyers to follow the teaching and example of Jesus. We are called to offer back to God in love all that he has given us, our varying physical and mental abilities, using all that we have, all that we are, in our love and care for others, in His name. Lord, help us to show forth your love not only with our lips but in our lives. Amen

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen