Gracious Lord, who transcends all cultures and laws, keep us from becoming trapped by the rules and ways of our land that would bar us from living according to your ways. Open our hearts to the culture and laws of your kingdom which are grounded in you and in love, justice, and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who showed us your law of love and returned to reign with you and the Holy Spirit in glory. Amen. ‘A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)’ – John 4:7-9 What might be the “ten commandments” that I have learned to live by? Do any of those commandments conflict with God’s call to love, mercy, justice, and peace?
Matthew R Green
PhD