Reflection for March 22 – Beverlie Ludy

Today’s Passage from The Bible: Mark 12:28-34; 39-44

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?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 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.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ 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”; 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.’ 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. and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’

He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’ 

Reflection – Beverlie Ludy

How do you love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength? My mother (who was a pastor specializing in spiritual guidance and contemplation) introduced me to Brother Lawrence, a 16th century Carmelite monk, who wrote about practicing the presence of God. “To practice the presence of God is to take pleasure in and become accustomed to His Divine company, speaking humbly and conversing lovingly in our hearts with Him at all times, and at every moment, especially in times of temptation, pain, spiritual dryness, revulsion to spiritual things, and even unfaithfulness and sin.”

It does takes practice! I wake up every morning and thank God for the new day and the sleep that has refreshed me. I thank God that I am so blessed to live a privileged life in a wonderful cottage by the water, where I am aware constantly of the beauty and wonder of creation. I thank God throughout the day when something good happens (maybe a surprise call from a friend) or something bad is avoided (like when I stumble but don’t fall). I sing hymns in my head. Those are the easy parts. 

Listening to or reading the news, I try to ask God to be near to those being affected by all the terrible things going on in the world. It gets harder when I lament those terrible things, but I’m learning that lamentation also is a form of prayer (as in many Psalms) and can be an act of love in offering my pain and despair to God. In time of unfaithfulness and sin, asking for forgiveness is an act of love.

I don’t expect I’ll ever achieve true oneness with God, but frequent daily conversations, prayer and worship is a way to get there. And by the way, loving God is the first step toward being able to love your neighbor!

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