{"id":7239,"date":"2017-03-21T06:34:31","date_gmt":"2017-03-21T10:34:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=7239"},"modified":"2017-03-21T06:34:31","modified_gmt":"2017-03-21T10:34:31","slug":"defining-neighbor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=7239","title":{"rendered":"defining “neighbor”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As one who intends to always be an active student \u2014 recognizing there will forever be more to learn \u2014 I find myself consistently amazed at the truth embedded in stories of faith. I also find that for me, when I\u2019m immediately rejecting of faith, sometimes that\u2019s more about me and my own hangups than it is about any embodiment of truth.<\/p>\n

One of the stories that continually challenges my core thinking is the infamous idea of \u201cdefining one\u2019s neighbor.\u201d Allow me to briefly share the scenario:<\/p>\n

Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?”<\/em><\/p>\n

He answered, \u201cWhat\u2019s written in God\u2019s Law? How do you interpret it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

He said, \u201cThat you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence\u2014and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cGood answer!\u201d said Jesus. \u201cDo it and you\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Looking for a loophole, he asked, \u201cAnd just how would you define \u2018neighbor\u2019?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus answered by telling a story. \u201cThere was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cA Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man\u2019s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, \u2018Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill\u2014I\u2019ll pay you on my way back.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe one who treated him kindly,\u201d the religion scholar responded.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus said, \u201cGo and do the same.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The part of the story that challenges me is the question of who actually is my neighbor (\u2026 well\u2026 and, actually, the part about treating him kindly and going out and doing the same\u2026).<\/em><\/p>\n

But I think about that\u2026 \u201cWho\u2019s my neighbor?\u201d Who are we called to be kind to that we struggle with \u2014 a question all active students must ask, regardless of adherence to any faith.<\/p>\n

Am I kind to the person who looks<\/em> differently than me?
\nAm I kind to the person who lives<\/em> differently than me?
\nAm I kind to the person who believes<\/em> differently than me?
\nAm I kind to the person who behaves<\/em> differently than me?
\nAm I kind to the person who votes<\/em> differently than me?<\/p>\n

Am I kind to my neighbor? Or am I intentionally justifying withholding kindness from some?<\/p>\n

The reason I find the above teaching so continually challenging, lies in the reality that I am not always kind. Sometimes I justify withholding kindness and respect because of differences in how others look, live, believe, behave, and vote.<\/p>\n

Looks like remaining an active student is a wise choice after all.<\/p>\n

Respectfully\u2026
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As one who intends to always be an active student \u2014 recognizing there will forever be more to learn \u2014 I find myself consistently amazed at the truth embedded in stories of faith. I also find that for me, when I\u2019m immediately rejecting of faith, sometimes that\u2019s more about me and my own hangups than … <\/p>\n

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