Jesus said: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27)

Yesterday Veronica talked to us about loving God and loving your neighbor (watch the sermon here). This story is narrated in all of the synoptic gospels, however, Luke adds a twist to the second part of the commandment: “and who is my neighbor?”

As per his habit, Jesus does not give a direct answer but instead tells a story. A neighbor turns out to be anyone who treats others with humanity, regardless of geographical distance. the story ends with “go and do likewise,” an invitation to be a good neighbor; to whom? To everyone. EVERYONE becomes your neighbor, according to Jesus, and hence, life in community becomes at the heart of the first commandment!

Here is a poem emphasizing community, by Rachel Hackenberg. Enjoy!

As Far as the Western Sea

Not me, O Life, but us.

Not mine, O Life, but ours.

As far as the eastern horizon,
as far as the western sea,
all that is and all that can be.

Not us or them, O Life, but every.

Not us or theirs, O Life, but all’s.

From the first wisp of dust
to its final sighing breath,
in life and death, in glory and struggle.

Not for or against, O Life, but with.

Not won or lost, O Life, but multiplied.

As long as the rivers,
as timeless as the stars,
as faithful as the sunrise.

Because I am not without us, O Life.

Because ours is naught without every, O Life. Always.