Neighbor

Perhaps my favorite scripture story is a favorite of yours also.It begins with a question.  "Who is my neighbor?"

From dictionary.com we read these three definitions:

1. A person who lives near another
2. One's fellow human being
3. A person who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward his or her fellow humans.

At the time Jesus was asked this question, the answer the questioner expected was #1.  And for the person asking the questions the answer based on proximity meant his neighbor would b ea fellow Jew.  But Jesus answers with a story - a story that is intended to get us to expand beyond our own little circle.

Definition #2 was Jesus' answer.  The story is a universal story that has actually changed the way we define the term "neighbor".  At least in the dictionary Jesus' answer is acknowledged.  The reality of this is very different.

We live in a world where group is constantly pitted against group where anyone that is different is feared, where majorities deprive minorities of their rights.

Why is it so hard to "love one another?"

I find it interesting how man of our hymns implore us to follow Jesus and expand our understand of who our neighbor is; just who it is we must love.

#172 In Humility, Our Savior
Fill our hearts with sweet forgiving, Teach us tolerance and love.

#308 Love One Another
By this shall men know
Ye are my disciples.
If ye have love
One to another.

#293 Each Life That Touches Ours for Good
Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, lord.
Thou sendest blessings from above
Through words and deeds of those who love.

#273  Truth Reflects Upon Our Senses
Charity and love are healing.
These will give the clearest sight.
When I saw my neighbor failing
I was not exactly right.
Now I'll take no further trouble.
Jesus' love is all my theme.
Little motes are but a bubble
When I think upon the beam.

#249 Called to Serve
Called to serve Him, Heav'nly King of glory,
Chosen e'er to witness for his name.
Far and wide we tell the Father's story
Far and wide His love proclaim.

#233 Nay, Speak No Ill
Give me the heart that fain would hide,
Would fain another's faults efface.
How can it please the human pride
To prove humanity but base?

#232 Let us Oft Speak Kind Words
Oh, the kind words we give
Shall in memory live,
And sunshine forever impart.
Let us oft speak kind words to another.
Kind words are sweet tones of the heart.

#223 Have I Done Any Good
Have I cheered up the sad . . .
Has anyone's burden been lighter today. . .
Have the sick and the weary been helped. . .

#220 Lord, I Would Follow Thee
Who am I to judge another
When I walk imperfectly?
In the quiet heart is hidden
Sorrow that the eye can't see.

And so we end with definition #3 - a person who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward his or her fellow humans.  That was the Good Samaritan!  That is who we are supposed to be!

May we accept all human beings as our neighbors, then turn around and be a good neighbor to them.

May we learn to see others as God see them and love all as He loves us.