All together, let’s say it one more time

Somewhat routinely, I look up and read the common lectionary readings for the coming Sunday. I do so for my own spiritual nourishment, but also because I know that tens of thousands of sermons will be preached on one of the lectionary readings, probably the gospel reading, in churches of almost endless variety. Millions of Christians will hear sermons preached on the lessons for Sunday. If those millions took the message seriously, the world would be instantly transformed.

The gospel reading is Mark 12:18-34. The writer sets up a question and answer session between Jesus and a group of people who loved talking about the resurrection. It was a hot topic over which people had vigorous disputes. According to the Mark writer, the discussion was going nowhere until someone stepped up and asked the right question. What is the greatest of all commandments? Jesus was ready with his answer.

The audience created by the Mark writer was typically religious. The expected response from Jesus would be one of the venerated 10 Commandments. According to tradition, the 10 Commandments had come to Israel through the prophet Moses. They were outside of debate and question. They were the standards by which the conscience of Israel was measured. The life of Jesus that we have recorded in the gospels is sketchy at best. The list of events in the life of Jesus that can be reasonably affirmed is short. However, the information we do have shows Jesus was not a law-keeper. He flaunted social codes and did not bother to make required temple sacrifices. Even the 10 Commandments were not held in highest regard.

“Love God with heart, mind and soul.” That was his answer. According to Jesus, that is the first and greatest of all commandments. In the response, Jesus identified himself with the protesting and reforming prophets scattered throughout the history of Israel who questioned the practice of keeping endless rules and laws.

When Jesus gave his answer he was quoting a passage found in Deuteronomy 6. Deuteronomy is a somewhat reformed version of Mosaic Law. It was probably completed during the Babylonian exile and shows a reformed attitude about the relationship between Israelites and God. Nowhere in earlier versions of Mosaic Law are Israelites commanded to love God. Further, the standard of love with heart, mind and soul is a giant step in the development of the faith of Israel.

Jesus’ comment about the greatest commandment took his followers in a new direction. I believe Jesus repeated his call to love God with heart, mind and soul over and over again.

Nothing that he said is more important than the command to love God with heart, mind and soul. In the Deuteronomy passage, Israelites were instructed to wear the commandment on wrists and headbands. They were to post it on the frame of their doors. An Israelite is never, never to forget the command to love God with heart, mind and soul.

All together, let’s say it one more time: We, who are followers of Jesus, are to love God with heart, mind and soul.

Some would like to take note of the first great commandment and rush to the second. Jesus said that the Second Commandment was similar to the first. You shall love your neighbor as you would a member of your own family. The neighbor is real flesh and blood. It is much easier to love another human being than to love an unseen God. However, we have no words from Jesus that allow us to rush from the First Command to the second.

So how does a person love God? I am certain there are multiple answers, most all of them valid. The specifics become very personal. Some folks go to a quiet place and meditate. There are others who take a walk in the woods or through a park. Others sing songs, play instruments, paint a picture or smell a rose. I suspect bird watchers end up with a special relationship with God. For myself, I cannot imagine a Sunday that does not include going to a place of worship, singing songs of love and hearing words of wisdom. I, with others, have conversations with God. Every day finds me in new private conversation with God.

I would not call myself a mystic, but there is a profound mystery involved in loving God. Deliberately taking time to spend with God in a loving relationship has transforming power. Grass is greener, skies are bluer and mountains are taller. Music is more refreshing and art is more beautiful. Poetry takes on new meaning, dancing is more graceful.

All together, let’s say it one more time: You shall love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.

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