CHAPLAIN'S CHATS

Who Is My Neighbor?
by Rev. Kathy Bird-DeYoung
Chaplain, The Suites at Holly Creek and The Village

²⁵One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?"
²⁶Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?"
²⁷The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
²⁸"Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!"
²⁹ The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Luke 10:25-29

The expert in religious law asked Jesus this question "And who is my neighbor?" to avoid following the command. In other words, he wanted an easy way out.

Jesus, however, defined the word neighbor by telling the story of the Good Samaritan. In its abbreviated version: a man was traveling on a very dangerous road and some thieves beat him up, stole his clothes and left him for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite (temple assistant) both passed by him on the other side.

Then a despised Samaritan stopped along the road and gave the man all the assistance he needed including taking him to an inn and providing payment for all his bills.

Who is my neighbor? This is still a valid question for us today. For some of us, our neighbors are limited to our friends. Sometimes, our neighbors are those who are similar to us, either in political views, church affiliation or even abilities.

According to Jesus, our neighbor is anyone we can help - no matter what we may have in common with them. Here at The Village, those we have the most ability to help are also those who are our neighbors literally.

In light of Jesus' teaching, consider what Proverbs 3 says about neighbors:

²⁸If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, "Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you."
²⁹Don't plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.
³⁰Don't pick a fight without reason when no one has done you harm.
Proverbs 3:28-30

Consistent with Jesus' teachings, the author of Proverbs encourages us to help our neighbors and not bring harm to them. One easy way to begin do this is simply to pray for one another.

My husband and I read the following story during one of our daily devotional times. This is a true story written by Marjorie Carey from Florida. This story shows that we all can help our neighbors and receive help from our neighbors...

"Every day Miss Ruby, a resident in a nursing home, demanded to be wheeled to the dining room. She was always in a hurry, even though she would always be the first person there. She would then sit quietly, facing the door, waiting as others filled the large room.

When asked why she rushed to get to the dining room so early, she had a surprising answer. 'I'm ninety years old, and I don't get around so well anymore. I come first so I can say a prayer for each person as they come through the door.'

She could so easily have focused on her own aches and fragilities, but instead she seized the moment to pray for others. How easy it is for us to miss opportunities that come our way as we rush through our days! 'Pray for one another,' says the Scripture. Let us pray for God's blessing on those we meet today."