Hi
Today’s Holy Nougat is an invitation. I pray that we will receive this gift
““Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” Deuteronomy 6:4 NLT
What a reminder! One gets the sense that these words were sometimes used to keep the Israelites in line. As part of the ‘exodus-wilderness’ narrative; there might have been more to the backstory than is presented.
The Shema, as it is commonly known, is the most oft repeated prayer of the Israelite-Jewish community then and now. Presented to the Israelites as the great commandment, it precedes cautions against disobedience. This suggests that they occasionally gave the impression that God could be trifled with or treated casually.
Unfortunately, this is true for many of us in our faith walk. Despite what our official faith stance may be, our (secret) private lives say differently. It may be an unconscious act or an intentional gesture which denies God’s presence and power in us.
But let’s hear the words again
Sh’ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Eḥad: “Hear, O Israel: the LORD is our God, the LORD is One.”
This is an invitation FROM God, (our divine Creator) to be in relationship. Now that’s awesome. It is also advising that we have only ONE God – YHWH Adonai.
With all the time and energy we expend on work, family, friend(s), and ‘stuff’; have any (or all) been replacing God ?
The Israelites were cautioned to learn and recite the Shema until it became an extension of them. Might we apply the Shema until we become an extension of God. As we repeat it to ourselves once again; I invite two considerations
1) that we listen to ourselves recite the Shema
2) that we insert ourselves/our name and make it utterly personal
Sh’ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Eḥad: “Hear, O Israel: the LORD is our God, the LORD is One.”
Amen
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
