Day 24: Finding God in the Chaos by Loving Our Neighbor

BY NATHAN SESSOMS, PH.D. | March 17, 2023
Today’s Readings

As a faculty member at a Jesuit institution and a diversity and educational equity consultant, I am often fascinated and encouraged by the links between diversity, equity, inclusion, and biblical teachings. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is asked by one of the scribes which of God’s commandments is most important. In deftly navigating the trap that is inherent in the question (as if one commandment is more important than all the others), Jesus articulates that we must love the Lord with all of our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and with all our strength AND love our neighbors as ourselves. Through His clever response, Jesus boldly emphasizes the significance of both acts and responds to the initial challenge by providing the scribe with a challenge of His own!

In an era partially defined by book-banning, the altering of Advanced Placement curricula for African American Studies, and the subsequent silencing of voices, today’s readings provide us with a simple roadmap that allows us—as believers—to navigate these challenging times. The bible is very clear in its teaching that all people are created in God’s own image and likeness. Therefore, all people are worthy of being treated with dignity and respect, while also having their humanity affirmed. For it is only by loving our neighbors—all of our neighbors—that we truly demonstrate our love for God. However, while many believe that they are steadfast in their pursuit of God and salvation, they, instead, lean into their own fears and insecurities, while failing to listen to and learn from the experiences of the historically marginalized and oppressed. In doing so, they forgo valuable opportunities to develop both empathy and a greater understanding of perspectives other than their own. Ultimately, they deprive themselves of the opportunity to love their neighbors, as themselves…and love the Lord as Jesus teaches.Finding God in the midst of chaos requires us to focus on God’s voice, listen to the instruction it provides, and fully engage with the righteous path toward which it guides us. Per the first reading and responsorial psalm, we are also challenged to be accountable when we fall short of God’s expectations, ask for forgiveness, and, rather than wallow in guilt and shame, make a fresh start armed with the new knowledge and insight we’ve obtained. Rather than be bold in our bigotry and biases, we must be bold in our willingness to to engage in self-reflection, and apologize to those whose humanity we fail to recognize and acknowledge. Finally, we must avoid the tendency to remain silent, comfortable, and, thereby, complicit with the many policies, practices, and procedures that, ultimately, result in inequity. If such policies, practices, and procedures only create welcoming spaces for some of us, ultimately, they fail all of us.

For Reflection:

• Am I open to the voices or experiences of all people, or only those similar to my own?
• Whose humanity am I failing to affirm? What do I believe I stand to lose, by advocating for their gain?
• Am I following God’s instruction or, instead, being led by my own fears and insecurities?

Dr. Nathan J. Sessoms

Dr. Nathan J. Sessoms is a clinical assistant professor in the departments of sociology and urban & environmental studies at Loyola Marymount University, and the Principal & CEO of Success Beyond Measure, Incorporated, a Diversity & Educational Equity consulting firm that provides support to community-based and non-profit organizations, for-profit entities, and academic institutions interested in combating systemic racism and creating equitable outcomes for all. He is also the producer and co-host of the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s podcast, Just Conversations with Jamal and Nate, which examines the intersections of race, justice, and Catholic education.