Feb
18
The Book on Loving Our Neighbor
February 18, 2008 |
Sometimes, we just make things too difficult in our relationships with others. We either try too hard or not hard enough in loving our neighbor. Relationships are strained, people suffer, and we are left empty and frustrated.
It shouldn’t be that hard. We shouldn’t need an entire section of Borders dedicated to “Love & Relationships.” As children of God, this love thing should come naturally to us. But, it doesn’t.
And that is why we should read and re-read today’s Gospel from Luke 6. Jesus instructs us to:
- “Be merciful”
- “Stop judging”
- “Stop condemning”
- “Forgive”
- “Give”
There we have the essence of every good and life-affirming relationship - MERCY - FORGIVENESS - GENEROSITY.
And not only with those we love, but with all with whom we come into contact with during the course of our day - on the road, at the store, in the workplace.
We need to stop judging and condemning others - especially if we are blissfully unaware of their circumstances. We need to show mercy for them and forgive them for whatever trespasses they may have committed against us. We need to be generous with our time, our gifts, our attention and our resources.
And for those who ask, “what will I get in return if I do all of these things.” Well, Christ has that answer for us as well in Luke 6. We will:
- “not be judged”
- “not be condemned”
- “be forgiven”
- “gifts will be given to you”
“For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
The more we give to others in terms of our relationship with them, the more we receive from God in terms of our relationship with him. For in showing true love in our relationship with others, we are showing true love to our Father and joining in the love of his son.
And that is why relationships shouldn’t be so difficult and loving our neighbor and our loved ones should be easy - because in loving them we are loving God.
