Listen

The Lord said to Moses, Say to the whole community of the Israelites: You must be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

When you harvest your land’s produce, you must not harvest all the way to the edge of your field; and don’t gather up every remaining bit of your harvest. Also do not pick your vineyard clean or gather up all the grapes that have fallen there. Leave these items for the poor and the immigrant; I am the Lord your God.

You must not take revenge nor hold a grudge against any of your people; instead, you must love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-10, 18

Think

Each week at our church, we host Bible studies and worship services, choir practice and committee meetings. All of these gatherings are so important to the life and work of our church, but just as important are the daily operations of our food pantry. We know that every week there will be someone who needs help with food. The men and women who volunteer and serve in our food pantry make sure families in our community know that they are loved.

The work of our food pantry is the work of Jesus’ commandment to love others. In Mark, when Jesus debates the teachers of the law, he reminds them of the passage we read today from Leviticus 19, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” We are not supposed to be greedy and selfish, taking an overabundance and leaving nothing for others. Instead, we are to love by sharing and caring for our neighbors and community.

Whitney Edwards-Russell

Question to Ponder:

What is a way your church or family cares for your neighbors?

Pray

God, you have taught me that love is not selfish or greedy, but generous and kind. Help me to share love with my neighbors and community through generosity and care. Amen.

Go

Jesus loves me still today,

walking with me on my way,

wanting as a friend to give

light and love to all who live.

Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.

– Anna B. Warner, “Jesus Loves Me”