Loving God

“‘Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that

God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all

your heat, with all your understanding and with all your strength,

and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings

and sacrifices. ’” Mark 12:32-34 (NIV)



The teacher of the law got it right. He agreed with Jesus on the point of what was the greatest commandment.

Our Lord was quoting passages from what we now call the Old Testament. The teachers knew these passages. They knew the words, not necessarily the intent.

In our 21st Century world, do we forget to put in practice what we learned as children to actually think kindly of our neighbors? Even when they choose to live differently than we do?

We have lived in our home for 35 years. At one time we knew they people who lived around us, eleven families. Some, we knew better than others. People died and others moved. Now, we know two sets of our neighbors.

At least two of the houses on the street are empty-one for a few years now; the other has become a rental. Some of the people who have moved in choose not to acknowledge our presence. If I would happen to see a dangerous situation transpire, I would do what I could to take away the burden.

If any of them had a need I know I should help with, my reason for choosing to help any of them would be because of my love for God.