This week I was humbled and honored to participate in the filming of a short video to be used at the upcoming May 11th Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast and sponsored by Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
My fellow participants were a Jewish Rabbi and a Muslim Chaplain. As we each shared a bit about living out our faith in Prince George’s County, I was struck not so much by the differences in what we believe but rather by the similarities.
Let us recall Jesus’ words, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”. [Matthew 22:36- 40] The greatest commandment is quoted from the Shema in the Old Testament.
Thinking about how we live out our life in faith, it was wonderful to hear the Rabbi speak of the teachings of Rabbi Hillel who lived at the same time as Jesus although the two men did not know each other.
When challenged to teach the Torah to a man while the man stood on one foot, Rabbi Hillel is quoted as saying, “That which is hateful to you, do not do unto your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn.” Rabbi Hillel is also well known for saying, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And being for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?”
My brother the Muslim Chaplain read from the Koran and shared with us that the Koran teaches that one is to love your neighbor forty houses to the right, to the left, in front, and behind. He stressed that you are to love no matter who your neighbor is or what they believe.
Do you see strong similarities, as I do, between how we live out our faith and can all work together to serve the Creator of the Universe? I believe our faith is far greater than any differences.
In His Love,
Pastor Peggy