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LOVING GOD AND LOVING GOD FELLOWMEN AND Mark 12:28-34 FELLOWMEN Rev. Dr. Samuel P. Fernandez PREACHER Mark 12:28-34 Adeline S. De Vera Rev. Dr. Samuel P. Fernandez LITURGIST “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (I John 2:15, KJV) Love multiplies … The more you give love, the more you get blest. The more you give love, the more you get blest. “Take away love and our world would be a tomb.” -Robert Browning , ‘Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbors as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.’ ‘Jesus said to him. “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.’ And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.” Mark 12:23-34 (New Living Translation) The words “heart and mind” are one and the same in the Hebrew word. The statement, “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord,” came from the creed known as Shema. This is recited by the devout Jews. It asserts and declares the distinctive principles of the Hebrew faith. Talmud (late Hebrew word talmudh) An authoritative body of Jewish tradition. It is noted in the Talmud that “six hundred and thirteen commandments were given to Moses: 365 negative, corresponding to the days of the year; and 248 positive, corresponding to the number of joints in the human body.” The Talmud advocates thus: “Live by the commandments: do not die by them.” Apostle Paul writes: “Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses and to bring the entire world into judgment before God. (Rom 3:19, New Living Translation) “ Where no law is, there is no transgression.” (Rom 4:15, KJV) To Timothy, Paul’s son in the faith, he reminds him thus: “The law is good, if a man use it lawfully.” (I Tim 1:8, KJV) Apostle Paul further says: “The law is not made for the righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners.” (I Tim 1:9, KJV) Philosopher John Locke observes: “Whenever law ends, tyranny begins.” An unknown writer shares his thoughts to us: “Man is an able creature, but he has made 32,647,389 laws and hasn’t yet improved on the Ten Commandments.” Christ in His earthly ministry says: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another.” (John 13:35, KJV) “The precepts of the law are these: to live honourably, to injure no other man, to render to every man his due.” As William Temple succinctly observes: “Love of God is the root, love of neighbour is the fruit, of the Tree of Life. Neither can exist without the other, but the one is the cause and the other the effect and the order of the Two Great Commandments must not be inverted. “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.“ (Matt 22: 37-38, NLT) “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day, we are being slaughtered like sheep’) “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Rom 8:35-39, NLT) The value of love is greater than the value of hate. Hate destroys, …. love builds. “Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of a every hand. Anyone may gather it, and no limit is set.” (Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Life in the Spirit) “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Rom 8:28, KJV) St. Valentine, however, did not support the Emperor’s decree. He continued solemnizing marriages. He did not believe in violating the marriage sacrament. But one night, St. Valentine was caught solemnizing marriage, so he was arrested and thrown into prison. Asked to renounce his faith, St. Valentine remained steadfast as a follower of Christ. Thus, he was beaten with clubs and beheaded on February 14 about the year 270 A.D. On the event of his death, St. Valentine wrote Julia thanking her for her friendship and urged her to be close to God. He ended his note thus: “From your Valentine.” Some surmise that that was the genesis of Valentine’s Day, which was marked later by Pope Galasius in AD 496 as Valentine’s Day. “Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. “There are three things that remain …faith, hope, and love. and the greatest of these is … …. –