THURSDAY, August 20 (Bernard of Clairvaux)

Legal scholars and judges in our day debate which principles of law are foundational. For example, are there occasions where the rights of an individual supersede the rights of the larger community? They look to our Constitution for direction based on their interpretations of it. In much the same way, the rabbis of Jesus' time discussed and debated the intricacies of Torah. The question put to Jesus about which commandment is primary was a reasonable one.

Jesus' answer is definitive: love God with all that you are and all that you have; love God above all and in all. If one is to love God in this way, one must love all that God has made--the neighbor, the community, all humanity, and "this fragile earth, our island home." This commandment comes first not only because it is most important, but because all other commandments derive their meaning from it. This commandment is first because all life derives meaning from it. There is nothing to debate.

How shall we love thee, holy hidden Being,
if we love not the world which thou hast made?

-Laurence Housman (The Hymnal 1982, #573)

PRAY for the Diocese of Saskatoon (Rupert's Land, Canada)

Ps 131, 132, [133] * 134, 135; 2 Samuel 19:1-23; Acts 24:1-23

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