Love Your Neighbor*

*That means everybody...

Turns out there is no definition on "who" neighbor is - it means everybody. That might sound like really good news - or it may sound like the world's greatest challenge.

When I was in seminary, one of our professors talked about how hard it can be to speak at a funeral when the person who has passed has been unkind. He spoke to the fact that being dishonest at a funeral isn't the right thing to do; but speaking to those present with care of their experience takes courage. He told about a time the words from family and "friends" was so harsh that he really struggled with the right words to say. In the end, he said, "[Name] was often a difficult person to love." Whew.

Stories like this - as well as simply turning on the news or opening social media - shows us so many truly difficult people. Not everyone is a ray of sunshine for sure. But when Jesus speaks of the Greatest Commandment, he doesn't say "love only some of the neighbors, mostly the ones you have things in common with, and certainly not a lot of them that you find to be problematic." Instead, in Luke 10's version, when Jesus is prompted to define "neighbor," he instead tells the story of the Good Samaritan. There's so much goodness to unpack in that story, but suffice to say, someone who is culturally detested is the one who reaches into the ditch, and then goes above and beyond for a stranger. It is a great reminder that should call us to personally taking stock of our own lives - and then to take action.

At Sanctuary Groups this month, we continue to focus on love - love for God and a world bigger than our own - love for ALL the neighbors - and love for ourselves.

We all have some work to do. Let's get to it. After all, this story is a love story. We get to be a part of it.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 4:19-21

So love God. Love a neighbor. Be a neighbor, and let us not complicate things by arguing about specifics.

You know what it means to do love because some time or another you have been on the receiving end of it, but remember that knowing the right answer does not change a thing. If you want the world to look different the next time you go outside, do some love. Do a little or do a lot, but do some, and do not forget some for yourself.

—from The Preaching Life by Barbara Brown Taylor

Did you know that we offer all kinds of groups that provide friendship and community? Options like Popcorn Theology, Bucket Club, Books + Brekky, and so much more help us love our neighbors and ourselves. If you'd like to learn more, please give me a shout - brandi@sanctuarygroups.com. Hope to hear from you!