Today is May 21.

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God's presence and say, "Come, Holy Spirit."

Today's reading is from the Book of Luke, Chapter 10.

On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. Teacher he asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" What is written in the law, he replied, "How do you read it?" He answered, "Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul, all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." You have answered correctly, Jesus replied, "Do this and you will live."

Take a few minutes as we begin to get connected with how you're doing right now. How are you feeling? What things are preoccupying your thoughts? How's your soul?

The expert asked Jesus a question in this story, but it feels a little more like he was trying to give him an exam. Jesus's answer, though pointed not to rituals or achievements or right answers, but to love. A wholehearted, all-encompassing love for God and a genuine compassionate love for others. Think about it this way. This religious guy tried to give Jesus a religious test, and Jesus answered it with a command to love.

Listen to the passage again and wonder a bit about what the teacher of the law might have experienced in this exchange.

On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.
What is written in the law, he replied, "How do you read it?" He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." You have answered correctly, Jesus replied, "Do this and you will live."

The essence of God's law is relational. This law is love that flows to us from God and then outward from us towards others. What might it mean for you to think about love as a law to follow? Just like the speed limit is a law to follow? What would it mean for your actions to be constrained by love, marked by love and aimed toward love? Is there any person in your life who you find it difficult to relate to in a loving way? Ask God to help you grow in your capacity to follow this law of love by His grace.

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day. Observe me with your mighty power that I may not fall into sin nor be overcome by adversity and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.