Love Your Neighbor

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 traveling 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

 Love Your Neighbor

O Eternal life giving Spirit

who forms us deep within

into vessels of love

into  carriers of compassion.

Remake us as loving neighbors again, Lord.

In this season of turmoil

when we fear our neighbors

when divisions are so very deep

help us to live compassion again.

Remake us as loving neighbors again, Lord.

We are weary of isolation

we are angry at the disease

we have struck out at neighbors

feeling helpless and alone.

Remake us as loving neighbors again, Lord.

Come and dwell with us now

draw near to the down trodden

heal the broken hearted

and help us be instruments of peace.

Remake us as loving neighbors again, Lord. Amen.