Father,
You gave us two rules and we didn’t keep either of them. The story of humanity is the story of you telling us the same things over and over and of us failing to follow. For some reason we humans feel the need to create more rules for ourselves, to misinterpret the things you’ve said to us and create more burdens for ourselves and those around us.
From the beginning you told us what you want. It’s stated most clearly in Micah, “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” You desire justice and mercy more than countless sacrifices or keeping of festivals and religious celebrations. And yet, we failed. We decided we’d rather look out for our own best interests and what we perceive as justice instead of doing the things you so clearly asked of us.
And then your Son came to live among us, offering us the clearest picture yet of what you want. He told us what your two rules are: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and love your neighbor as yourself.” The apostles and other writers of the New Testament stated these things over and over, ad nauseum. But we still got it wrong.
Rather than focus our attention on setting our whole hearts to the tasks you gave us, we looked for ways to make ourselves seem better than those around us. Rather than doing as the rich man in the Gospel of Luke said and “going to the highways and byways so that his house may be filled,” we’ve chosen to seclude ourselves into our own little sects, only allowing in those we deem worthy.
You gave us two rules, and we failed both of them.
And lest you think I’m pointing the finger at others, I am all too aware of my own failings. Too often I judge others for the things they do or say, failing to see them for what they truly are: people created by you and loved unconditionally beyond all comprehension. Too often I’ve let my own insecurities get in the way of loving my neighbor as myself, as you’ve commanded.
I can’t think of even one time I’ve loved you will all my heart and soul as Jesus commanded. Forgive me for my shortsightedness, my selfishness, and my self-centeredness.
I’d like to promise I’ll do better, but I know that would be a lie. Help me to see past myself and to refocus my life on the things that are truly important. For it is in you that I have my life, and it is in you that all things will one day be reconciled.
I look forward to the day when the blind shall receive sight and the lame shall walk, when all the tears will be wiped from every eye and your creation will be made whole again.
Until that day, please forgive us for our sins of failing to live up to your greatest commandments, and have mercy on us, for we can do nothing without you.
And for me, help me to overcome my own failings so that I can love you and love others more completely, for that is where I know I’ll find my true joy.
Amen.
Coffee & Theology 