Lectionary Readings:
Leviticus 19: 1 – 2, 9 – 18
Psalm 119: 33 – 40
Matthew 5: 38 – 48
“Expanding Our Love”
The Gospel lesson this week is a continuation of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In this one he delves into a deepening sense of what love is all about. The love he speaks of involves love and prayers for our enemies. He begins with his phrase, “You have heard it said …” and takes the eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth notion, into the idea of loving our enemy, turning the other cheek, and praying for them.
The Leviticus passage includes the idea of loving your neighbor as yourself. This later is included in the statement of the two greatest laws. The first is to love God. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Included in this are some strong statements as to how we should treat other people. In the midst of these statements are the periodic includsion of the phrase, “I am the Lord”
The Psalmist asks God to teach his statutes and show his ways.
These passages give rise to these questions.
1. How does recognizing the God is the Lord effect the way we treat other people?
2. What does it mean to love our neighbors?
3. What does it mean to love our enemies?
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