The passage from Deuteronomy 6 is central to the Jewish faith. It is recited twice a day. It certainly was important to Jesus as a pious Jew who quoted it when asked what is the greatest commandment. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Therefore you shall love the Lord….” I continue to meditate on the fact that the commandment word is actually to “hear,” not love. Wake up. Pay attention. Loving God comes as a result of “hearing,” of being attentive to the presence and action of God in our lives. In Eastern spirituality this is called mindfulness or awareness. Becoming aware of God’s constant loving presence provokes in us a response of loving in return with our whole hearts.
