Neighbour

But wanting to justify himself, the lawyer asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).

             When I was young, my parents told me not to talk to strangers. They did so to protect me because I was not old enough to distinguish between people who might pose a threat to me and those with whom I would be safe. One consequence of this advice was that I became suspicious of anyone who seemed different from me. I separated people into groups of those with whom I interacted and those I avoided. When I started school and got to know more people this attitude changed. I began to recognize how distinctions between people can be a good thing and what we have in common is more important than what makes us different.

            In this passage from Luke, a Lawyer asks Jesus who is his neighbour. Through his reply Jesus indicates how differences among people can prevent them from perceiving others as their neighbour.

            Within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament, the term “neighbour” described the people with whom one lived. While the expression primarily meant other Jews, Gentiles received some security from the Law as Resident Aliens. According to Leviticus, Love of one’s neighbour was a basic principle of Religious and Social Life. The Jewish Law prohibited offences like perjury, deception in trade, Murder and Adultery for this reason. Wisdom Literature advised generosity to one’s neighbour and the maintenance of peaceful relations with them. The Prophets urged Justice towards them as well as honest decisions on their behalf. Such obligations were a Religious duty imposed by God and a means for the maintenance of Social harmony. When Christ responded to the Lawyer’s question about the Greatest Commandment, he indicated his Teachings continued this Tradition. However, the Lawyer’s second question, about who was his neighbour, separated people into those who deserved attention and those safely ignored. Among the latter group were likely public sinners like Prostitutes and Tax Collectors and the Religiously suspect such as the Samaritans. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus illuminated the artificial nature of such differences, as the Samaritan saw someone in need rather than a member of any specific group. Unlike the Priest and Levite, the risk of Ritual impurity caused by contact with a wound or the possibility of an attack by hidden robbers was of no concern. In addition, the animosity between Samaritans and Jews was irrelevant. Through the story, Christ indicated the Law allowed no such differences, which reflected God’s Universal Love for all people. It established a standard for the Disciples’ behavior in daily life.

            Our world likes to create differences between people. In Economic terms they are Poor, Middle Class or Rich. When it comes to Politics, they are Liberal or Conservative. Socially, they are Progressive or Traditional. Within the Religious sphere they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist or another category. Once everyone is classified, they are expected to conform to a certain way of thinking and acting. Others make judgments about them based upon these expectations. Yet, such an approach is simplistic. All rich individuals do not have the same attitude towards money. Political Conservatives may not always agree about certain questions of public policy. There is a diversity of opinion among Christians about Moral issues. In addition, differences can subtly de-humanize some groups of people. While most individuals recognize the basic Humanity of everyone, which makes them a neighbour, their actions often send a different message. The refugees from Ukraine are helped quickly because they look like Canadians and may have relatives who live here while those from the Democratic Republic of Congo must wait. Such subtle differences separate others into real and theoretical neighbors. As with the Lawyer’s question, they reveal a desire to get around the Universal nature of the Commandment to Love one’s neighbour. Catholics and other people of faith must struggle against the desire to adopt the world’s definition of who is a neighbour. The Samaritan was conscious of the differences which existed within the world at that time. Unlike the Priest and Levite, the Humanity of the man left by the robbers overrode such concerns. In the same way, Catholics are called to assist those who are of a different Economic, Political, Social or Religious category. They must risk being used, misunderstood or inconvenienced by those they help. It will cost them time and money. Yet, it will also reveal they establish no differences about who is their neighbour and they truly seek to live out what Jesus taught.

            Christ’s Teaching about the Greatest Commandment indicates a key concept of our Faith. Love of God requires love of neighbour; love of neighbour demonstrates love of God. Love, to will the good of the other, demands a total commitment. It eliminates all loopholes established by artificial Human differences. This Teaching is the basis upon which the life of every Disciple is founded. Each thought and action seeks to demonstrate everyone is a neighbour.

July 10, 2022