Shhh . . .

Devotion by: Andrea Sweet

Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question.

When I first saw this Lenten devotional, I thought of my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Aardsma. (Mr. A) He is the one who helped me see that the Kingdom of God likes quietness. For example, he would line us up for recess, and being fourth graders, we were likely to be rowdy. “Silence please,” Mr. A would say. Sometimes we would pray. Then we would get our reward, to go outside. Mr. A knew that silence is needed in Heaven. He would keep reminding us that God is a God of order, not chaos. Now I understand.

PRAYER: Dear God, Please help us understand that sometimes we just need to be silent, and always in your presence. Amen.