The Command to Love

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on October 28, 2021

 In this Sunday’s gospel (Mark 12:28-34), Jesus is in Jerusalem and a scribe approaches Him asking, “which commandment is the first of all?”  In response, Jesus cites Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”  Jesus expresses the oneness of God and the mandate to love God with our whole being. Jesus then goes one step further. He adds love of neighbor to love of God, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 9:18). Love is the force that binds our relationship to God, our neighbor, and ourselves. The scribe agrees with Jesus and comments that love of God supersedes even the religious obligation of offering Temple sacrifice. On hearing his comment, Jesus says, “you are not far from the kingdom of God.”

 What does Jesus mean? I hear Jesus telling the scribe that he has taken the first steps on his journey into God’s kingdom. He understands the supremacy of love, but is his understanding merely an intellectual insight?  The first commandment draws us to contemplate on God’s very nature; that God is love and God created us in love.  Jesus’ presence in the world is to demonstrate God’s eternal, self-giving, self-emptying love. Love then becomes more than feelings or an intellectual concept. Love is expressed in attitudes and our actions.  We are empowered to live the commandment of love for God and neighbor by seeking God in the Scriptures, in prayer, in the Sacraments, in the world around us. In response to our awareness of love, we seek to give ourselves to the One who gave Himself for us, following His footsteps of compassion, and mercy.  

Last Sunday’s reading about the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, sets before us an example of one person’s journey into love. Although his blindness impaired his ability to carve a meaningful life, Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as Messiah. He cried out to Him and Jesus heard his plea for mercy. Jesus restored his sight, and more importantly, restored him spiritually. Bartimaeus experienced Jesus’ heart of love and compassion and responded by loving Him in return. He dedicated himself to be Jesus’ follower.  

We too are assured that God who is intimate, infinite, perfect love, lavishes on us a love that will never let us go. As we luxuriate in this assurance, in return we too grow in love for God and neighbor.  Amen

Tags: love, love of god, god is love, supremacy of love

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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