Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So, likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ Luke 10:25-37
Humans too often divide the world between enemies and friends. As I write, bombs are dropping on innocents and combatants alike. Often times, neighbors are fighting over control of land and resources, both gifts of our Creator. Jesus stands firm in the middle of every battle we witness. We are neighbors of one another, all, and we can fight all we want but we are fighting with those who he calls our neighbors.
No matter what names we call them, no matter the ills they may have done to us, no matter our desire for revenge, Jesus see them as our neighbors. We are called to love and show mercy to those who we really want to destroy.
Loving Creator, you bless us with your heart of love
and plant us among those who can teach us mercy
and give us elders who show us how to live your mercy.
As we live in a world of us and them, enemies and friends
conflict and violence seem the only ways we choose to live
yet you call us out of the mired hate and abusive living.
Oh, Lord, make us merciful and ready to love our enemies
help us see their faces as members of our own dear families
and make this world a place where there is mercy for everyone. Amen.
