Day 6
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. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6.4-9
This passage is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible. From a very early point in Jewish history and religion, this passage became central to daily worship. Even to this day, observant Jews recite this passage in the morning and in the evening. When Jesus is teaching in the Temple, and one of the Scribes asks Jesus how he summarizes the whole of the Torah (a.k.a. the Law and Prophets). Jesus responds with the first half of this passage. But during these days between Ascension and Pentecost, and as we think about evangelism, we must not forget the second half of this passage.
We must teach our children the Way, all day everyday, whether they are our biological children or the children in our communities. We must live with God’s teaching and love on our sleeves, and as a crown on our foreheads for all the world to see. We must must live in homes and communities where the Word of God and God’s justice reign.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
St. Augustine's Chapel 