Listen

The legal expert said to him, “Well said, Teacher. You have truthfully said that God is one and there is no other besides him. And to love God with all of the heart, a full understanding, and all of one’s strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself is much more important than all kinds of entirely burned offerings and sacrifices.”

When Jesus saw that he had answered with wisdom, he said to him, “You aren’t far from God’s kingdom.” After that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Mark 12:32-34

Think

One definition of wisdom is the skillful use of knowledge and experience to make life-giving and life-saving decisions. Jesus saw the legal expert as wise because he seemed to know that building meaningful relations with God and other people was even more important than performing religious rituals for the forgiveness of sins.

To love one’s neighbor as oneself means to want the best of what God intends for our lives to be available to those who have been abused and feel forgotten. It is wise to dedicate ourselves to the work of ensuring equitable access for all to peace, freedom, gospel justice, and abundant life. As this happens, we are all drawn closer and closer in the kin-dom of God.

Kamal Hassan

Pray

All-wise God, share your knowledge with me and inspire me to use it in skillful ways that draw me ever closer to you and vulnerable people. As I share with them and receive from them, I come ever closer to the place where you abide. Amen.

Go

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of a dark black night

John Lennon/Paul McCartney in “Blackbird” (1968)