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A Note on Neighbors
Being loved in times of need
Sure, many of us want to at least be not rude to our neighbors. The people we encounter in daily life — those who live in close proximity to us, those we work with, people in our community.
They are our “neighbors.”
But, do we love them?
Do they love us?
And how do we know which neighbors to love — all neighbors? Ok, then WHO is my neighbor?
That’s a question pondered during the ministry of Jesus.
And his answer comes in the form of the parable of The Good Samaritan.
You know, the super helpful guy who picks up the injured traveler, pays his medical expenses, and ensures he gets well.
Except — this guy wasn’t supposed to be a neighbor at all. He was the exact opposite of what those listening to Jesus’ story thought a neighbor should be. Wrong nationality. Wrong beliefs. Probably didn’t like their sports teams.
And I thought of this again as I read a reflection on neighbors in a time of need.
The writer, following a time of need, notes this about the help she received:
I look at these men and I see the people who buy those guns, the people with the beliefs that make me afraid, every…
