Matthew 22:35-40
A lawyer asked Jesus a question, to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” And Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all you mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:35-40 (RSV)
I climbed into the van filled with kiddos, backpacks, toys, sports equipment, you name it, and buckled myself in. I can’t remember where my daughter-in-law was driving us to, but it is always fun wherever we go. My foot kept bumping into something down on the floor . It was a large box filled with items in big zip-lock bags. As we traveled along, I finally asked what all this was. She said: “They are bags for the homeless. You know, the people you see standing on the street corners with their signs asking for help.” She had each bag filled with hygiene products, socks, etc. for everyday living that a person might need. I couldn’t get over how she thinks of ways to help her “neighbors”. Believe me, this is not the first time she has done something like this. She organizes neighborhood “winter walks” with hot cocoa afterward, and at the same time, collects canned goods for the Mission. Soccer games with lemonade and gathering gifts of blankets, mittens, hats to go where they are needed. I’m always so amazed how easy it is for her to organize these “giving opportunities” and how beautifully it all works. She is a giver and a doer, it’s in her DNA. Her life may be totally crammed with other obligations, but she always has time for the giving, caring, loving her friends and “neighbors”. “Love your neighbor as yourself”.
During a difficult moment in my daughter-in-law’s life, and living 3 hours away from most of her friends, she found out the impact she had made with others would be showered back on her a hundredfold. Friends came from miles away to cook, care for, and support her and her family. (She has the most amazing friends!). Even a large group of her friends back home gathered in the church to have a prayer service just for her.
Jesus’ words in this lesson are simple. Love God, love your neighbor.
The world would be such a beautiful, loving place, if we purposefully all took care of each other, whether we know each other or not. With the help of all of us, God really does have the whole world in his hands!
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you care for your “neighbor”? Can you find ways to accomplish this?
- Are you a “run toward” or “run away from” people you see who need help? (There is scientific proof that you are actually one or the other!)
Prayer
Dear Giver of life and all things good,
Help us each day to awaken to our most loving self and be a giver, a doer, a loving human being. You have made each of us to be filled with love and act accordingly. Thank you for creating us for this purpose. Amen
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