Rediscover Community
In times of crisis it is so easy to act out of self-interest for “me and mine”. In the end, that never works. Besides that, it is contrary to the teachings of our Lord. He told a story of persons acting out of self-interest, caring only for themselves, and not for the suffering-other. The name that Jesus gave to the suffering-other is neighbor. Circles that are drawn which leave out the suffering-other are not only anti-community, they are anti-Christian. Jesus taught us to help, not just our neighbor, but even our enemy, ruling out, once for all, “us and them”. Oh, my soul, be careful to follow the teachings of the One we call Lord, when self-interest wants to have the final word. May I never forget community.
“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 10:36-37 (NLT)
