Love Of Neighbor
In today’s world, more and more of us are caught up in self and in self preservation. It is either that you are contributing to my own cause or get out of my way. [simpleazon-image align=”right” asin=”1601374585″ locale=”us” height=”320″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DoPBMXXOL._SL160_.jpg” width=”214″]It is so unfortunate that this type of selfish thinking has found its way into the very heart of our church. We continue to have power struggles in our parish communities; we continue to bad talk one another; we continue to slight each other. We continue to divide the Body of Christ and to sew seeds of discord amidst the call of today’s gospel to ‘love God’ and to ‘love our neighbor.’
Almost everyday on my way to work I am absolutely amazed at the level of selfishness that exist among our drivers here in Trinidad and Tobago. They become highly agitated when someone in front of them stop to allow someone else to cross. Then the horns start blasting and there may even be some industrial strength language hurled at you as well. How did we as a nation become so ‘void of compassion’? What became of the love that we once had as a people, when we used to be so polite to others. Why have we become so selfish and self centered which is precisely what today’s readings are warming us to avoid.
Do you remember when you would greet someone on the street – a perfect stranger maybe – “good morning sir”, “good morning miss.” Not only would you greet them, but they would greet you in return. Where has that love and politeness gone to? It has become to non-existent that when someone extends courtesy to us we are surprised. Not only that but we have allowed ourselves to be transformed by the world and I have fallen prey to that as well. Last Friday, I had just come out of my car in a car park here in Port of Spain. There were other people who were also parking their vehicles as well, but closest to me, there was a man parking his Nissan Nevada. When he came out of his vehicle, and with my back turned, he said “good morning, good morning,” in a very light hearted manner. It took me by surprise and it took me a split second before I responded. Then he surprised me again. He was clearly in a hurry as he hastened to the door, but then he held it open for and waited for me to get there as he said, “Boy ah running late. Have a good day eh.” I was so surprised. That encounter stayed with me for a while and had me smiling when ever I remembered it.
When ever we extend love and courtesy to others, it blesses them in ways we may never understand. We do not know what others are going through; what pain other may be feeling. We can help to ease their pain and their stress by genuine acts of kindness and love. Unfortunately, the reverse is also very true. When we fail to show kindness and love to others, we can actually be contributing to their pain, and their stress and to pushing them closer to or over the edge.
This weekend’s readings present a real challenge to us, and it begs us to revisit how we see the marginalized in our society. Here is the challenge. How would you or I respond if a homeless person were to come in from the streets and stand next to us at Mass? Would we be welcoming? Would you or would I welcome them, or would we be too busy blocking our noses and turning their heads hoping they would go away. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us that whatsoever we do the the least of our brothers or sisters, we have done it onto Him, So what will be our response? What will our response be if we saw someone attending Mass, and we ‘had files’ on them? What would our response be if we saw someone who we know was living in sin, attending Mass? Would our response be welcoming or would it be one of disdain? Would we allow ourselves to become channels of God’s transforming love, or would we take it upon ourselves to become god and judge and condemn them?
This is a hot topic these days – that of same sex relationships. Now please do not think for a moment that I am about to suggest that these relationships are ok; because they are not and never will be! But what would our response be if we saw someone who we know to be involved in this type of relationship walking through the doors of our parish community? Would we welcome them in or would me ignore them or even make them feel uncomfortable and unwelcomed? What would we do? Depending on what our responses are to these and many other questions will determine the quality of praise and worship that we offer to God. Let’s be real. We cannot say that we love God who we cannot see, yet we despise our neighbor who we can see.
Sisters and brothers; may we all become imitators of the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving His Word in great affection, with joy from the Holy Spirit so that we may become models for all believers and seekers of the Truth. Let us allow the love of God made visible in Jesus Christ to so transform our hearts and our minds, that it will bring about a positive change, a transformation in our beautiful Trinidad and Tobago. Let us ‘bring back de ole time days’. Let us go back to loving God and placing Him high above all else, and to loving our neighbors as we do ourselves.
