An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
Luke 10.25-28
In this passage, we find the familiar words of the Shema, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength,” instructions that are a cornerstone of the Jewish faith. Historically, the Shema is a prayer recited morning at night by Jewish believers.
This practice heeds Moses’ encouragement to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6, “Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deut.6.6-9)
Below is the most commonly recited portion of the Shema.
This Lenten season, consider reciting and/or interiorizing this prayer alone, or with your family.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
The word “shema” in the Hebrew text translates to “hear” or “listen” or “pay attention to.” This is a call to action and foundational to our faith. “Shema” also means to obey—listening and doing are two sides of the same coin.
True obedience requires us to be intentional about how we love God with all of our heart, soul and strength. As you interiorize or pray these words, contemplate what it looks like to allow these instructions to inform your daily interactions and decisions. Is there a cost to making choices that honor these commands?
