Thoughts for the Day

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 neighbour 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 neighbour 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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In Britain lifeboats that save people at sea are run by volunteers who give up their time, their talents, and sometimes their life to rescue those in danger. It often amazes people that these, together with other groups like the coastguard and mountain rescue, are also largely run by volunteers. What, we might wonder would make these men and women put themselves in such danger? Well, many will have been inspired to offer their help having seen the bravery of others, or the loss of life caused when a fishing vessel is lost at sea. Those who live in the small villages and towns around our coasts are brought up with the stories that abound.

In today's reading we have the clearest instructions on how to decide what our priorities in this life should be. The difficulty is to maintain the balance. Jesus says we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Now when we love another person whether it's a child or an adult, we apply all of these four things. Our heart breaks when we are away from them too long, we wish to enfold them in our arms, hear their beloved voice, and we think about them day and night. It's why when a loved one dies it is so difficult.

Jesus says this is how we should feel about God. As we draw nearer to Him, we should yearn to be closer to Him; to be in His presence. Out of this close relationship comes the desire to help and care for others in whatever way we can. We can't always be called to save those lost at sea. but we can help in a myriad of other ways.

Lord,
teach us how to love You,
with our heart, soul, mind, and strength,
so that we put You first and not last
in our list of priorities.
May we constantly draw closer to You
listening for Your words
in whatever way they come.
Open our hearts to be willing to
change our lives,
and to live in accordance with Your will.
Amen.