Grow. Pray. Study. Daily Guide from the United Methodist Church
of the Resurrection – Monday, 30 December 2013 – “Love God, love your neighbor”
Daily Scripture: Mark 12:
The First Commandment
28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with
one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which
commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O
Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with
all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 Then the
scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is
one, and besides him there is no other’; 33 and ‘to love him with all the
heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love
one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt
offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said
to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to
ask him any question.
Reflection Questions:
Jesus, like the scribe in this passage, saw some Bible
principles as central, more vital to grasp than others. Loving God and loving
your neighbor, they both agreed, are the greatest commandments. Just when we
think we have that idea fully grasped, though, someone like Christmas
Vacation's Cousin Eddie shows up. That's when we really need our love for God
to anchor us in loving people.
Jesus, like the scribe in this passage, saw some Bible
principles as central, more vital to grasp than others. Loving God and loving
your neighbor, they both agreed, are the greatest commandments. Just when we
think we have that idea fully grasped, though, someone like Christmas
Vacation's Cousin Eddie shows up. That's when we really need our love for God
to anchor us in loving people.
Jesus quoted the first great commandment from Deuteronomy 6:4-5,
and the second from Leviticus 19:18. Scholar William Barclay said no previous
rabbi combined those two scriptures the way Jesus did. When has a steady
discipline of daily Bible study brought you insight into how you live? How has
God's Spirit increased your capacity to both receive and give love through your
focus on living out God's principles?
Today's Prayer:
Lord God, teach me what it means to love you with all my heart
and my neighbor as myself. Reach out and touch others through me, as I share
your love for me with them. Amen.
Monday, 30 December 2013 – Insight from Chris Holliday
Rev. Chris Holliday serves as the associate minister at The
United Methodist Church of the Resurrection West.
Below is the pastoral prayer I prayed at the Christmas Eve
services at Resurrection West last week. I borrowed a few phrases from a
wonderful book entitled Prayers and Litanies for the Christian Seasons by
Sharlande Sledge (published by Smyth and Helwys Publishing, Inc., ©1999, p. 15,
21). Also the last paragraph was adapted
from a portion of a Christmas Eve prayer written by my amazing wife, Rev. Lisa
Holliday, who is Minister of Children and their Families at Resurrection.
I hope you find this prayer helpful and meaningful as you
consider loving God and loving your neighbors near and far this day and as you
remember Jesus – the miracle, gift, and hope of Christmas, who is with us
always.
Generous and loving God, we gather this night to remember and
celebrate Immanuel – you coming to be with us through your son, Jesus Christ.
You arrived as a baby – “Holy Love born in a manger, bathed in the light of [a
brilliant] star.” Tonight we gather around that manger and we long for a
“closer glimpse” of your love in human form, “a brush with the presence of
angels”, and a greater understanding of all that you offer us. Thank you for
your gifts of hope, love, peace, and joy. Thank you for the gift of the Christ
child, who saves us day after day after day with his grace and mercy.
“Creator of all that was and is and yet shall be,” tonight we
sing “gloria” and rejoice in you, and the whole earth resonates with the sounds
of pure joy because of your presence among us. In the midst of the joy, though,
we know there is also pain. This can be
a very difficult season for those who have lost loved ones during this year or
in years past. It can also be challenging for those who feel lonely, isolated,
sick, hungry, tired, or depressed. We think about the families, friends,
students, and teachers struck by tragedies in our schools this year. We
remember those near and far who have experienced the devastation and loss
caused by tornadoes, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, and other natural
disasters. We think of our own neighbors, co-workers, and family members who
are experiencing hardships and difficulties right now. We remember those
serving our country around the world, and we remember our nation, and the
tremendous challenges we face together. We think of those who are without
shelter, food, and clean water and of the people of Honduras, Malawi, Russia,
Haiti, and those on every continent and in every country of our world.
For all those who grieve or who are suffering this season, we
ask that you hold them in your strong, safe arms and that you wrap them gently
and warmly in your comfort and love right now and into the New Year. Bring to
them people who can help and who can offer the light of your hope. And where possible,
give us the privilege of being your hands, your feet, and your heart that we
might minister and care for others in your name. May your peace be tangible and
real to every person, and may it be felt in the hearts, minds, and spirits of
all this Christmas.
Now, touch us with unearthly joy, like the singing of angels;
fill us with wonder, like the hearts of children; and teach us to humble
ourselves before you, like the worshiping magi.
May our journey to the manger be only the beginning of a lifetime of
following you. We pray all these things in the name of the Christ child – Jesus
– who taught us to pray saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever,
Amen.
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United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, KS 66224 United States
(913)897-0120
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