A sermon by Rev. Barbara Lemmel and Rev. Mitchell Hay.

Epistle 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

Make sure no one repays a wrong with a wrong.

Always seek what is good for each other—

and for all people.

Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

and give thanks for everything—

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Gospel Lesson Mark 12:28-34 The Inclusive Bible

One of the religious scholars who had listened to them debating and had observed how well Jesus had answered them, now came up and put a question to him: "Which is the foremost of all the commandments?"

Jesus replied, "This is the foremost: 'Hear, O Israel, God, our God, is one. You must love the Most High God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

The scholar said to Jesus, "Well spoken, Teacher! What you have said is true: The Most High is one and there is no other. To love God with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself — this is far more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice."

Jesus, seeing how wisely this scholar had spoken, said, "You are not far from the kin-dom of God." And after that no one dared to question Jesus any more.