Modern-day neighbours
August 29, 2015
Add to Favourites
Matthew 7:12
Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Luke 10:25-37
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d]”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Dear God,
We get up in the morning
and no doubt do much the same things
we wash, dress and eat
chivvy the family
we get ready for the day.
We live in identikit houses
work in the city
drink in the village
(well, we used to)
But she has to keep on and on
about the grass
and the hedge
and the kids’ toys on the pavement.
She moans about the bins
whether I take hers out
before she’s ready
or leave it
and miss the lorry.
She doesn’t like the shrieks
of excitement
on the trampoline or in the paddling pool.
And yet… when I’ve done the meal
and soothed hubby’s brow
and got them clean
and settled in bed
She puts on the music
Not just any music
The worst
eighties
cheese
turned up to eleven.
We can’t sleep.
We’re going nuts.
But… you say
love our neighbour
treat her as we want to be treated
have mercy on her.
I don’t know where to begin.
I’m going to need your help.
After I’ve sat down for a minute with a cuppa.
The news is awful.
I can’t imagine what they’re going through.
Worse than a noisy, moany neighbour anyway.
I don’t think the bigwigs know where to begin either.
Lord, they’re going to need your help.
Let’s make a start,
Find some common ground,
Take baby steps.
Even sit down for a minute
and share a cuppa?
Who knows where you might lead?
Amen.
Login to comment.