Just who is your neighbor? Many define that term narrowly, like people they know who live on the same block. Others tend to equate it with friends and family. Jesus Christ gave us a much broader definition, in the prelude to the Good Samaritan Parable in Luke 10:25-37. Of course it was a lawyer who tried to narrow down the field after Jesus quoted from the Old Testament Book of Leviticus: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). It turns out that God defines the term “neighbor” quite differently from our human definition. Neighbor is anyone who crosses your path who is suffering and in need, and whom you have the means to assist. Of course, we are to exercise discernment when confronted with clear and serious needs of others, but absent a strong sense of danger, we should act affirmatively from our God given instincts. Many states have enacted “Good Samaritan” laws to shield from liability persons who come to the aid of a stranger. These laws recognize our deep spiritual roots, and seek to protect us.
I was thinking about this subject this morning as I digested the news about the rapid spread of the Corona Virus. In many areas, people are being told to stay home from work. The idea is to minimize close contact with others who could have been exposed to someone with the virus. My wife and I are retired, so staying home from work is not an issue. But what about the half dozen waitresses with whom we have been in close quarters just this week? And what about the Uber or Lyft drivers, baristas, sales clerks, hotel staff, fast food workers and about twenty percent of our population that have neither paid sick leave or health insurance? They are our neighbors in this infectious biosphere. We ought to care, in our own self interest if for no more spiritual or altruistic reason, that they are likely to go to work even when they don’t feel well, and they are less likely to seek medical attention until they are really disabled by illness—because they cannot afford to pay for medical services.
This is a perfect illustration of why, as a very practical matter, we should want all our “neighbors” to have paid sick leave and affordable access to quality health care. It is foolish to believe we can stay safe by just watching out for ourselves and our own households.We are all interconnected. Loving our neighbors, in this context, is a natural if not essential part of loving ourselves. God always has a way of bringing something really good out of every calamity. Perhaps the Corona Virus will stimulate greater bipartisan cooperation in Congress, less heated rhetoric and division among social, ethnic, religious, and economic classes, and more organic streams of “loving our neighbors.” Lord, may these small trickles of streams become like mighty rivers of love, peace and harmony that cover this land as the waters cover the seas. Please watch over and protect those of our neighbors who are least able to protect themselves. Amen.
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