Listen

One of the legal experts heard their dispute and saw how well Jesus answered them. He came over and asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

Jesus replied, “The most important one is Israel, listen! Our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, You will love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.”

Mark 12:28-31

Think

Love your neighbor as yourself.

But, which neighbors? The ones we know and wave to? But what about the ones who are rude to us? What about strangers?

Yes, to all.

How?!

In Leviticus, this call is paired with guidance not to hate others in our hearts and to instead reason frankly with our neighbors, not bearing grudges. In Matthew and Mark, it’s paired with loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. In Luke, it’s followed by the parable of the Good Samaritan—an outsider choosing to help someone whom others had chosen to pass and leave in deep distress.

So in our daily lives, loving our neighbors might lead us to:

Working towards understanding and reconciliation,

Listening openly and dialoguing frankly when we disagree,

Fully using our minds, bodies, and souls in the uplifting of others,

Seeing and reaching out to others in distress,

Enjoying laughter, fellowship, and learning from others,

Choosing to love others with the same dedication God loves us and we strive to love God.

Loving our neighbors means we do these things for everyone, equally.

Molly Logan

Question to Ponder:

When I see the kid or coworker who eats lunch alone, when I notice the person I sit next to in class or on the bus to work, how can I treat them more like a neighbor rather than simply passing by today?

Pray

Loving God, especially when times are hard, help me to think about my family, friends, community, and world afresh today, embracing them as neighbors to love better. I don’t have to know how to help someone or even make things better for them. Just guide me to choose more loving actions in all I do today. Thank you for the joy and learning that might come from encountering others in grace.

Amen.

Go

Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth—teach it to me—because you are the God who saves me. I put my hope in you all day long. Lord, remember your compassion and faithful love—they are forever!

                                                                                                                               Psalm 25:4-6

May God’s compassion and faithful love guide all our actions today, however we may be feeling.