The greatest commandment,
according to one who studied the matter
so that it might shape his living, is one of a pair:
the loving of God
and the loving of people
with whom our lives intersect.
Which means treating them with respect
and extending to all the benefit of the doubt.
It means other things, too;
like acting graciously
when we find ourselves
elevated above others;
taking every opportunity for kindness,
and behaving with gentleness
when circumstances become coarse or brutal.
It leads to an attitude of healing
and allows blessings to punctuate our speaking.
It quietly takes within the surrounding pain,
and voices outrage for the sake of the little ones
whose tongues have been silenced.
The greatest commandment
is also the most costly.
It sings and sighs,
exults and bleeds;
all the time bringing glory
to the one who ordained it.
It forgives,
it creates,
expanding inexorably;
like the universe
of which it is intended to be the centre.
© Ken Rookes
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