"Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
"Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God's sight?
If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?
The teacher of religious law replied, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law."
Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.
God of creation - all-knowing God - we face trials and days when things don't go the way we want. Help us to know that you are still by our side. You rule the world and know what the future holds for us. We lift our praise to you for being with us during the rough times when we can't see what our future holds. Amen.
Today's bible in a year readings