Neighbors

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

We can probably all remember Mr. Rogers singing, "won't you be my neighbor?" Many folks called him the singing psychiatrist for children and have often thought his relevance only to children. Yet, his program broke color barriers when no one else would, and he always found room for every child and adult that came his way. His faith taught him how to be a neighbor, how to welcome and how to include. He "went and did likewise" as Jesus directed. He used the gifts he had for storytelling and music, to make children of all ages feel safe and comfortable. He used the platform he had to teach and model radical welcome. May we too, "go and do likewise."

Loving Creator, you place us in communities

where our neighbors are alike and different

where we learn as we live the story and song

of places of welcome and neighbors who care.

Families and neighborhoods are often broken

by poverty, illness and the challenges of life

and we shut ourselves off from our neighbors

because we are terribly afraid of difference.

Help us Lord to reach out to everyone we see

trusting that you have given us your strength

to bring healing, safety, comfort and welcome

doing all this as you commanded, "go and do likewise!" Amen.