Who is My Neighbour

 Who is My Neighbour? 

"You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Matt.5.43-44

When it comes to showing love we become selective as to who exactly deserves it. Love your neighbour as yourself. Who exactly is my neighbour? My family members?  House or flat mates? kinsmen or my tribe? People of my race, colour or language?  My friends who supported me when I was in need? Those who celebrate and share gifts with me regularly and such like that? Well, I  wouldn't say no, but it's beyond just this familiar set of people. 

The story of Christ about the man who was attacked on a journey and left to die by his attackers is still the best answer to the question, A priest passed by but left without a care. Sometimes,  I  felt he couldn't help because of his priestly duties and laws governing his position. He feared the consequences of becoming unclean by touching a presumed  dead body. In the same manner, a levite also passed by but abandoned the man to die,  I guess it's also for the same reason. We could be so engulfed in religiosity most times that we forget the act of love, mercy and care, which is the hallmark of the faith.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone".Matt. 23:23

Eventually the man was saved by an assumed sinner,  a Samarian. This is sufficient to show what Christianity is all about and who exactly deserves our love. It's not about title, status, race or language,  not about the colour of our skin, or about the religion or political party you belong,  but whoever is in need and you have the capacity to help out,  that's your neighbour. That helpless vulnerable idiot that's always loitering around your office. That aboki guy who you think is beneath you,  that Thug who always feed on 'paraga' and snuffs creating neusance on your street, that prostitute who is so dirty and uncouth. What about the man who offended you so deeply that you have vowed never to talk to forever. They are all your neighbors whom you have to love and treat just the way you would love to be treated. 

Stop looking in the wrong places, they are always around you,  treat them with love unconditionally. Pray for them even when they mock you. Feed them and salvage them when they are despaired. Do no take delight in their misfortune, rather give them helping hand when it's necessary.  And when you do all this for your neighbour,  you'll be called the child of your heavenly father. Do well to take care of yourself as well as your family and the people in the household of faith without discriminating against outsiders and strangers.  Your neighbours are right beside you,  love inclusively with the love of Christ. 

Further Readings: Matt. 5:38-48; Pro. 25:1-28; Luke 10:25-37

Prayers:

Oh God of Love,  help me to love like you do. Give me a clear conscience to relate with and to love everyone around me regardless of who they are and how they treat me.  This I pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen