The Greatest Commandment
In the context of this week’s Presidential debate, we know that debate is an ancient form that often produces new insight, and that is the setting for today’s reading where Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees – a lawyer asked Jesus which commandment is the most important. We don’t know the lawyer’s intent in asking the question, but Jesus responded in a way that was new, connecting love of God with love of neighbor and love of self, and proclaiming these to be the greatest commandments. (NOTE: We are beginning to reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic. The early service has a chamber choir but no congregation. The late service has a limited congregation but no choir. Except for some of the music, the services are essentially the same. NOTE: Both videos begin with the Children’s Moment or sermon, but after starting you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want to see the entire service.)
References
- Matthew :22:34-46