Our Neighbors

“No tyranny finds support without tapping into our fears.”  This is what Pope Francis said just days before the U.S. election.  Then on the day of President Trump’s inauguration, our Pope warned against the rise of populist leaders who provoke fear and alarm.   This recent history was reported in the Saturday, February 18 edition of the Boston Globe. 

According to this account, “He condemned the growth of populist and xenophobic movements calling them a ‘grave danger for humanity.’  And he attacked leaders who rely on ‘fear, insecurity, quarrels, and even people’s justified indignation, in order to shift the responsibility for all these ills onto a ‘non-neighbor.”

Last Sunday’s Gospel is relevant to Pope Francis’ statement and concern.   That Gospel reading from Matthew ended with this challenging advice from Jesus:  "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust...So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Also, in the first reading from Leviticus we heard: "You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart.  Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him.  Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people.  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  I guess is all comes down to who is our neighbor.   And that’s the key!

Here’s where we should all reference the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Jesus was asked, “And who is my neighbor?”  He replied, “A man fell victim to robbers…A Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight…‘Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?’ He answered, ‘The one who treated him with mercy. [Luke 10:29-37]"  We all know the story.  

Our neighbor is that person in need of help – of mercy.   All this makes for interesting political discourse during these difficult times we all are experiencing during the nascent Trump Administration.

Deacon David Pierce