BACKGROUND READING MARK 11: 27 – 12:34 OR
MARK 12: 28-34
Sarah, the wife of Jacob, a priest, has also travelled from her home in Sephorris. She makes the journey three times a year to celebrate the major festivals.
She hears about him first from Miriam, a neighbour from home that she bumps into in the busy streets of the city. She surprised and intrigued by how her practical and down to earth neighbour is carried away by a brief encounter with the strange man. It’s so noisy in the crowd that she doesn’t even get the whole story, just snatches here and there before the crowd forces them apart:
“On the air, I just heard “steadfast love” and “forever”. And then she was gone.”
Later, she’s surprised to hear her husband speak of the same person. After his priestly duties were done, he had spent time doing what he loved best, discussing the Law. Sarah is not surprised by the answer her husband gets to his question about the greatest commandment, it’s what they both already knew:
“First you love God; second you love your neighbour. Together they are the most important commandment all rolled into one.”
It’s her husband’s description of how Jesus said it that is transformative for her, and for him:
“Like it was a truth to be lived. Love God; love your neighbour…. And looking at him, I knew he lived it with all his heart and soul and mind and strength.”
Sarah’s story has reminded me that the faith of those close to us can transform and enrich our own faith in surprising and transformative ways.
How is your faith being enriched by the experiences of those around you this Holy Week?
You can listen to Paula Gooder read Sarah’s story here: