Who is my neighbor? By: Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx

If you cannot help a neighbor, then you should not live in the neighborhood.

"Who is my neighbor?"

At first glance, this question seems silly. why ask? Who does not know his neighbor? Humans are by nature social animals, hence, living in a community is not strange for a man, but innate to humankind. If we delve deeper, this question is more relevant today than ever before. The technological world has distanced the neighbors from each other. Gated communities have segregated society, and created more strangers than neighbors. hence, the question ought to be understood both empirically and ontologically, so we understand its precise meaning and learn how to establish communities that feature living bonds of friendship. To make these communities possible, we have to reflect on and understand the nature of man from the perspective of faith, so we can cross boundaries, and reach out to every human being as brothers and sisters who reflect the image and likeness of God. Ralph Nader once said, "When strangers start acting like neighbors... communities are reinvigorated."

Through the parable of the "Good Samaritan, "Jesus brings home the message concerning who is neighbor. No person before or after Him summarized the meaning of human existence in relation to God and neighbor as Jesus did. Jesus plainly unfolds the true nature of man, on both ontological and empirical levels: Man is created to love God with all his heart, mind, and soul, and his neighbor as himself. If we understood correctly what Jesus taught, humanity would form a perfect community. Unfortunately, that is not the reality, and it is obvious for all to behold. Consider: One part of humanity dies of hunger and thirst, while the other eats sumptuously and many die of obesity. One half of humanity enjoys all the benefits, while the other part is denied even their basic rights While one part of humanity enjoys freedom, the other is constrained. The reason is simple: We have not understood our true nature. When man disrespects his Creator and dehumanizes his neighbor, a dark spell of inhumanity is cast on the world. In light of such unbecoming behavior, William Dunbar offers positive advice: "To God be humble, to thy friend be kind, and with thy neighbors gladly lend and borrow; His chance tonight, it maybe thine tomorrow."

In the parable Jesus tells in today's Gospel, the Samaritan recognized the man who fell prey to the robbers as his own neighbor. He understood true human nature and reached out to help a person in need. Believers and non-believers acknowledge this parable as the parable of the "Good Samaritan," and rightly so. The glimpses of "Good Samaritan" are noticed in modern society at the time of natural disasters, and other calamities, but society still ignores the next-door neighbor who is in need. It is easy to send donations for a cause, but to reach out to someone next to you is challenging. If you cannot be a good neighbor to those living in close [proximity to you, you cannot be a good neighbor to those who live miles away. No doubt, it is magnificent to help suffering humanity, but it is still nobler to help those with whom you interact ordinarily, for charity begins at home. It is not surprising to realize then that Jesus summarized the whole of salvation history on two pillars that hold up the new commandment of love. Jesus tells us,"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. this is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like this: 'Love you neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hand on these two commandments." Hence, no one should dare to ask the question,"Who is my neighbor?"