Pastor’s Corner – November 3, 2024
Love Your Neighbor As Yourself
Mark 12:28-34
We come to that golden rule of faith in a nutshell. There is no need to have the belief of God or organized religion to make sense of what it means to love one’s neighbor as yourself. Atheists understand that you don’t have to have God as a cause to love someone. It’s a universal understanding and human consciousness that compels us to do the right thing for and to each other if we are to have peace. It’s to be human after all. And somewhere in the scripture we know that if we are in a loving or caring relationship with one another, there is God. Even if one doesn’t know that there is God in that love and care for one another; to visit those in prison and have concern for the poor and the widow, they too have fair share in God’s kingdom. And those who claim to love God and have faith in God but don’t love or care for the poor or concern for liberation of all people who are oppressed or suffering, God doesn’t seem to know them either. Because you see, God is love. Jesus knew this truth and those who were silent after much debate what is the greatest commandment of all, Jesus distilled in two pillars of faith, to love God and love neighbor as two sides of the same coin. This is what we are dealing with this coming Sunday. Well, someone might suggest then, what’s the point of coming to church or being a Christian or having a faith in God if love is what matters in the end?
Yes, it’s true, but there are plenty of reasons. First, to tell stories of God’s love so that we can learn what it means to be human and care for one another. Second, there are people in the church community, outside of what you may consider part of your social circle, that are able to have relationships to challenge and deepen your love, engaging different generations and places in their lives. The church community is a place to cultivate and nurture our faith so that we may deepen our love for God and our neighbor with a sense of purpose and mission, in meaningful ways. Third, we need each other. It’s true, one doesn’t need organized religions, but I do. It simply means as humans we need to find ways to work together for the common good. It also means we are not alone in our journey but in our shared journey we hold each other accountable and that we can do greater things when we come together. How do you think we Presbyterians built hospitals and schools? It wasn’t a single person’s donation. We can do greater work of love to care for our neighbor and world. The kind of love we are talking about is not that romantic, but a labor of love that’s enduring, sacrificial and life-giving in the midst of the messiness of our imperfect lives. If that feels romantic, yes love is all the above and more. So, love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself, and we are not far from the kingdom of God. Notice in this debate there is absence of belief but active state/verb of love. Amen.
Pastor Dae