Our scripture this week is Matthew 22:34-46.
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Jesus answers the Pharisees’ question in a way they can’t refute because it is God’s truth. From the very beginning we were created to be in relationship with God and each other. This is our nature and our ultimate blessing.
In Genesis 1:18 God says “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God has put within us a deep need for the companionship of other humans. In different seasons and varying degrees we all experience this and it is especially distressing to us to have to be isolated from those we love and humanity in general.
While we struggle through the health issues of the COVID virus we are additionally burdened by being separated from each other. Reach out through prayer to God and whatever means you can to each other in order to stay connected. Loving God and neighbor is still the greatest commandment.
Loving Lord, we are stung by the pain of our world’s illness and the loss of connection it causes. Help us to know You are with us and may we care for each other through Your grace. Amen.