Friday, March 20

Scripture for the Day:

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. – Mark 12:28-34

Love (III)

 

Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back

            Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

            From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

            If I lacked any thing.

 

A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:

            Love said, You shall be he.

I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,

            I cannot look on thee.

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

            Who made the eyes but I?

 

Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame

            Go where it doth deserve.

And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?

            My dear, then I will serve.

You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:                    

            So I did sit and eat.      

George Herbert            (1593-1633)