Ani Weinman

Dear Friends,

Life is so complicated and chaotic. How are we supposed to know what to do on any given day? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was one simple fundamental belief that told us exactly what to do?

We do. It’s in today’s gospel passage (Mark 12: 28-34), and it’s nicknamed “the greatest commandment” for good reason.

Jesus says in another gospel passage that all the law and the prophets could be wrapped up in these two commandments. Love God with everything you’ve got. Then love others and yourself (and I’ll include the planet with the loving of yourself and others part because humans need air to breathe, water to drink, and the earth to grow food).

The world is so overwhelmingly complicated, and yet again and again, the whole of the bible gives us the answer…Love. Love God, love everything, love everyone.

It’s throughout scripture. (John 15:12, 1 Corinthians 12:30-13:13, Matthew 5:43-44, 1st John 4). It is written again and again because it’s who God is! 

This is how we bear the very image of God. Love.

Put on your “love” colored lenses and see everything through them. When I come across something that cannot be seen through this lens, then it does not align with the character of God and the command that Jesus gave to us in these passages. 

Every human is called to live out this command. But not every human does. So what do we do then? I sometimes want to give myself a pass and blame my lack of love on the one who didn’t love me first.

But that’s not how it works. There are no exceptions, and there are no places I can wall off where this command does not apply. Love is not a quid pro quo thing. It’s an all-the-time thing. 

Yes, we need guidance, protection, solutions, engagement, and a whole host of help to love others well in our present moment. I am not saying this is easy. I am saying that in our bones, in our breath, in our very being, everything we need to love already exists in these chaotic, complex, dumpster-fire days that we live in. In our very image and being lives Love, and that is what is going to get us through. 

Love is long work. Love is hard work. Love is action. Love is perseverance. Love isn’t easy. 

Love is what is required.

—Ani