Learn, Do, Live

We all know someone who loves a good debate. And they must win that debate - they are right, even when they are wrong. In today's reading, Jesus encounters some of these people in today's reading

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?""The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.""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 heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself s more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."When Jesus say that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far form the Kingdom of God." And from then on no one dare has him any more questions."Mark 12:28-34

The conversation starts off well, a humble inquiry. However, once Jesus has answered, the man reveals he is testing Jesus. He arrogantly says to Jesus 'you are right!' Never the less, we must listen to what Jesus says, the greatest commandment is to 'Love God'. We must do so wholeheartedly, with all that we are. That is to say, this is not simply a commandment to learn, or a verse to put on the wall - this is something we must do. After all, it is a commandment, not a theory to be debated. This is a word to follow. It is what God requires us to do.

And as we do this, we will find that wholehearted love for God, overflows in love for others. We will discover that we are truly alive. We are living, the life that God created us for. To do so, is a constant battle, with those things which want to capture our affections and promise us a good life. Only God can keep that promise. So love him, and allow that love to flow over to others, today, tomorrow and for as many days he gives us on this earth.... When we see him, we shall not regret a life given wholeheartedly to him.