Article March 25, 2019 Issue

‘No greater mission’ than loving God and man

Ellen J. Wolf

A version of this article appeared in The Christian Science Monitor’s Christian Science Perspective column, Dec. 13, 2018.

Love for God and man. That was the notable distinction attributed to the 41st president of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush, at his memorial service in Washington, DC, last year. It was clear that he and his family wanted his legacy to include a message to all: Everyone can and should feel joy and make a difference through honoring God and doing good.

As we strive to do that, it is helpful to consider the example of Christ Jesus, the ultimate role model for loving God supremely and blessing humanity. Jesus taught, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’. This is the first and great commandment. And there is a second like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’. The whole of the Law and the Prophets depends on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37–40, J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English). Above all, Jesus wanted his followers in all ages to adhere to these rules because they are paramount to us more fully expressing our true nature as God’s children—to manifesting health, harmony, and purpose.

Everyone can feel joy and make a difference through honoring God and doing good.