Neighbors

Neighbors

My Question for God

How can I recognize opportunities to share God’s love with my neighbors?

A Moment with God

The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. . . . and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Luke 10:29-37

Most of us think of our neighbors as the people who live next door or across the street. Jesus’ teachings expand your neighborhood to involve anyone around you who needs his love and care. This means that the person next to you on the plane, your coworkers, or the homeless in your town are also your neighbors. It is also important to expand your neighborhood to people around the world who need the love of Christ. When you begin to view people you meet or hear about as your neighbors, you will see these encounters as divine moments that allow you to share the love of Christ. What neighbors have come across your path today?

Divine Promise

It is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

James 2:8