Proper 25A 2005 Matthew 22:34-46

It is in this section of the Gospel that Jesus sets forth the very heart and essence of the Christian faith and practice. It is the great and beautiful Summary of the Law, the great hermeneutic, the understanding, through which we interpret all of Scripture.

“…and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, “"`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." “There is no other Commandment greater than these.

On the editorial page of the Richmond Times Dispatch of Thursday, September 29, 2005, there was this section entitled “Lesson from a Child”:

“As all levels of government stumbled through the initial response to Hurricane Katrina, Henrico second-grader Lauren Parker moved into action. She led her friends in making bracelets to sell for hurricane relief funds. As one example of many individuals and corporations reaching out to the battered Gulf, Miss Parker shows that everyone can make a difference.

“"She likes doing. things for other people," her father told this newspaper - and do something she did. Over Labor Day weekend, 7-year-old Lauren spent hours at Three Chopt Recreation Club selling bracelets she and some peers had made from string, wire, and small beads. The children raised more than $279, and could have raised much more - they just ran out of bracelets.

“This wasn't the second-grader's first foray 'into charitable giving. After the tsunami, she insisted guests to her birthday party donate to charities in lieu of giving her gifts. She geared up for Hurricane Rita relief before the storm hit the mainland. Her parents are raising her well.”

Stories like this remind me that the only Bible people might see is how we not only talk but how we live, how we practice our faith with our neighbors.

Parents, grandparents, and godparents have important responsibilities toward Stewart and indeed toward any children after their baptism. Children love to learn. Parents, grandparents, and godparents have a teaching task toward children about their Christian faith. Tell them Bible stories. But for children, the essential elements of the faith can be learned when they are taught just three things early in their lives: Memorizing the Lord’s Prayer, the 23rd Psalm, and the great Summary of the Law. Taught to memorize them and then discuss with them what it all means.

Little Lauren Parker may have been born with a genetic disposition toward kindness to her neighbors, but her parents showed her the way, taught her what it was all about, and helped her find ways to live it out. Her story is an inspiration to all. It is what putting your baptism and faith into real practice is all about.

And all his life, Stewart’s parents, grandparents, godparents, and friends should remind him that he is baptized and that it and his Redeemer demand that he never forget it. And to live his life according to the Summary of the Law.

“"`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." “There is no other Commandment greater than these.”
AMEN

Wicomico Parish Church, Wicomico Church, Virginia 22579