Today’s message on the greatest commandment raises a question: Let’s assume for the moment that as a pastoral minister your “love of God” is well grounded. That being the case, which of the remaining is the more difficult for you: love of neighbor or love of self?

Whom do people really love, when they love, and whom do they harm, when they do harm? Those are the questions scripture asks this week.

Everybody who goes to church knows the basic rules of Christian living. Of course, often as not, they default to the Hebrew code when asked to describe them, but that’s another issue entirely.

Because “aliens” had limited rights in ancient Israel, they were vulnerable to exploitation. God’s law for Israel—once an alien people itself—commanded the respect of these resident foreigners.

"You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves,” God warns the Israelites, but sadly it is not a message that has been passed down to all peoples.

The Lord is good and gracious to us, turning us gently from the idols of power, security, and comfort to serve the living and true God. Pray that we may love as we are loved.

My wrath will flare up. The first reading is one that leads some people to think the God portrayed in Hebrew scripture is cruel and violent. What kind of God would “kill you with the sword”?

I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things.