Our Neighbor.

 

“Never see a need without doing something about it.” Saint Mary Mackillop.

I know many good Samaritans too many to name, and they would be moved by compassion to be charitable or helpful to their neighbor.

Do you think we can be good Samaritans in today’s modern world?

I must admit it can be hard I mean we can be so self-involved, forget, pretend as though we didn’t see anything, or we can say “it’s not my job or responsibility let someone else do it.”

What is our hesitation?

I suppose for me it would be putting myself in a situation which might be dangerous or makes me feel uncomfortable. Not to mention the enormous number of rules, laws, policies, and procedures one must follow that if we break or breach them there are serious consequences.

 However, if our goal is to inherit eternal life which we have by our faith, believing in our Brother Jesus Christ, trusting in him, and treasuring all his works. Maybe it’s time to take some chances, get involved, make sacrifices, live justly, mercifully, lovingly, and be moved by compassion. Or maybe each day we challenge ourselves to do one act of kindness whether that is for ourselves or our neighbors.

So here is the question an anxious man asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Luke 10:25-37

It’s easy to love our neighbor God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength yet it’s difficult to love our sisters and brothers as ourselves. When we say neighbor, we mean those neighbors being anyone we have meet, that we can help, be generous with, to show kindness and to love. When we make a conscious decision to follow and be led by our hearts, we start to see a bigger picture and recognize that there is a whole world of people needing help, love, support, encouragement, and inspiration. We are reminded in this week’s Gospel of the Good Samaritan who took pity, or a nicer word showed kindness to a man who fell into the brigands’ hands.

‘Will we Go, and do the same as the good Samaritan?’

Are we willing and committed to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, bandage the wounds, pouring oil and wine on them? Will you pray for souls, comfort the sick and sorrowful?

“To show great love for God and our neighbor we need not do great things. It is how much love we put in the doing that makes our offering something beautiful for God.”

Mother Teresa.

There certainly is a lot to consider and think about and as Mother Teresa suggests we don’t need to do anything big or count the cost, the risks, or the rewards. If we are only doing it for the reward, it’s not a selfless act it would seem there is an ulterior motive behind the act of kindness or compassion. Here is something to remember, never doubt that you have talents and treasures to be kind and be moved by compassion at some point we all have made some difference in the life of a neighbor, or a brother or sister. So, never close your heart off to anyone, we all need someone, we need more people in this world, in this life to be moved by compassion and love.

Proverbs 3:27-28

Do not refuse a kindness to anyone who begs it if it is in your power to perform it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go away! Come another time! I will give it to you tomorrow,’ if you can do it now.

May God Bless Always

Women of Faith and Hope

Written and created

By My Mother Rose.