September 27, 2022

There is a clip of the Buffalo Bills’ Offensive Coordinator having a major tantrum as he watched his team run out of time to kick a potentially winning field goal. Throwing the headset, scattering papers, slamming the desk in his booth. I get it. Some things feel VERY important in the moment.

Per Jesus – there is one thing in life that is truly important: love. Love directed to God and love directed to others. “Jesus declared, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-38)

Of course, we will fail on both fronts, even as we continue to get worked up about dumb things. But, isn’t the reminder at least a little bit helpful?

“O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into ourhearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounteddead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany – BCP)