Our Ultimate Concern

21Feb
One of the scribes came near and asked Jesus, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ 
 - Mark 12:28


In his book Dynamics of Faith, Paul Tillich, 20th century Christian Theologian and Philosopher, defined faith as "the state of being ultimately concerned."


He wrote: “[Beyond the needs of the body,] humans, in contrast to other living beings, have spiritual concerns - cognitive, aesthetic, social, political. Some of them are urgent, often extremely urgent, and each of them …. can claim ultimacy for a human life or the for the life of a social group. If it claims ultimacy it demands the total surrender of him who accepts this claim, and it promises total fulfillment.”


In less philosophical terms, Jesus was asked for his answer to what is of Ultimate Concern – “What matters most, Jesus? Which command is first of all?”


Jesus’ answer: “Love God above all else,” seems somewhat unhelpful: isn’t that what Ultimate Concern is? That which we hold to be of ultimate value is our “god”, no matter how we construe that. Materialistic people, for example, put the pursuit of money above all else, that is their “ultimate concern.” So if Jesus had stopped there, he might only be as famous as, say, Paul Tillich!


But, of course, Jesus completed the thought with perhaps the most profound wisdom of all time: “The other greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.” For Jesus, these are inextricably linked. Loving your neighbor is HOW you love God.


This is the Ultimate Concern. This is the purpose and meaning of life.


Our challenge is to figure out how to do that; loving my neighbor is not easy, especially when I don’t care for his personality or politics or priorities!


Not once did Jesus say it would be easy!


Musical Reflection - Hear O Israel - Urban Doxology


Grant us love the courage and humility to love those you send into our lives, that in doing so we may grow closer to you. Amen.

Love Your NeighborLove

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