Friday, March 20, 2020
The Rev. Nathaniel Bourne
Collect
Grant us, O Lord our Strength, a true love of your holy Name; so that, trusting in your grace, we may fear no earthly evil, nor fix our hearts on earthly goods, but may rejoice in your full salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading
Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came near and heard Jesus and the Saducees 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.” 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.
Reflection
Where and what is the kingdom of God? That is the unasked question at the end of the reading. Jesus doesn’t spell out what he means when he says “you are not far from the Kingdom of God,” but it is somehow connected to the commandment to love God and love our neighbor. Over the last few days, I’ve seen a lot of small acts of love and kindness. I’ve received emails and texts from people eager to help others any way they can, a care package of toilet paper and boxed mac and cheese appeared on my doorstep, and I’ve noticed that people are more willing to smile at one another and offer a passing hello when they pass me on the sidewalk. I think there’s something of the kingdom of God in these acts of loving kindness. Maybe it’s not the kingdom itself, but points towards it – like signposts on the way to a reality in which there is no room for anything that is not of love. Every act of love–given or received– has the potential to draw us nearer to God.
Question
Where have you received love from an unexpected place? How has the love you have shared or received impacted your relationship with God or other people?