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know the Shema

Mark 12:29-31
"29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

We have been studying Paul's writings about the Christian faith. Focusing on how we need to live to a higher standard. And, we need to get along with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It's part of God's plan for there to be interdependence between believers in Christ. Each person has a specific function and is valued for their contribution, reflecting the diversity and unity within the church.

This is nothing new. The Jewish communities in the time of Jesus's incarnation taught "The Shema." Passages from the Torah, that were recited twice daily as part of the morning and evening prayer services. Additionally, the Shema is a central part of the daily prayers and is also recited at the conclusion of Yom Kippur and during the Kedusha service on Shabbat. It is also customary to recite the Shema or a portion thereof before bedtime and when one's death is believed to be imminent. And, that is what Jesus recited in today's verses. Something we should be able to recite also.
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