25th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B

Question to Ponder is an invitation to prepare your hearts and minds for worship this coming Sunday. Read the scripture below by looking it up in your Bible or simply clicking the link. Reflect silently on the question, journal, or talk about the question with a friend. Come to worship on Sunday at 8 and 9:30 am ready to receive God’s Word.

Introduction to the Readings
Jesus states the core of God’s law: love God with all you are and have, and love your neighbor as yourself. The scribe agrees that Jesus has rightly identified the most important commandments, much more important than sacrifices. It’s easy for us to say with the writer of the letter to the Hebrews that sacrifices aren’t needed anymore, but harder to acknowledge that all our worship, all our community service, all our social action, all our family caregiving is worthless if it is done without love.

Readings
Psalm 146 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. (Ps. 146:8)
Mark 12:28-34 Two great commandments: loving God and neighbor.

Question to Ponder
What is God busy with these days and asking us to assist with? (Ps 146)*

Closing Prayer
Almighty God, you have taught us in your Son that love fulfills the law. Inspire us to love you with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength, and teach us how to love our neighbor as ourselves, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.