Two Commandments, that's all!

 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  This commandment is like the first and greatest commandment, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  Two commandments. That's it. Just two. 

Reading through the One Year Bible, I am getting bogged down with all of the various rules and regulations the Israelites were commanded to perform and things they were expected to remember to bring to the priests. I'm afraid I would have been sent out of the community in no time because I don't think I could have remembered half of what was required.  How happy I am to be under the new covenant and in the kingdom of heaven where Jesus just refers to two very important commandments. Love God and love others. Both must be done whole heartedly. I must first love God with everything I have. My heart, soul, mind and strength. I also must love others with everything I have, because it's with the same love I have for myself. So, if I feed myself, I should feed others, if I dress myself, then others. If I'm kind to myself then I should be kind to others. If I prefer myself...see the pattern?  If I want to get ahead then shouldn't I be helping others get ahead as well? If I'm improving my lifestyle shouldn't I also be willing to improve someone else's? 

It should also work in reverse. If I forgive others, I should forgive myself. If I give grace to others, perhaps I need to give myself grace. Whichever way the equation works, it should be a mutual loving relationship between myself and others. I don't think we are to withhold love from each other or be selective with whom we share love with. Even if it isn't comfortable.  

Today is the beginning of the Lenten season according to the traditional church calendar. It's a 40 day season of preparation before Easter. For many people it is a time of reflection and personal sacrifice. For me, I think I want to prepare my heart to practice more what these two commandments really mean. Just some things to think about.