Day 24: Love is the Answer
BY ABBY CAUSEY | March 8th, 2024
Today’s readings
The Gospel message today is a very familiar one: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. It seems fairly simple, yet you would never know it by the state of the world; it seems we may have missed the mark. These two commands are not a task on our checklist or tickets into heaven but an invitation to realize the presence of God in the here and now. How we respond to them can be likened to the image of a wagon wheel with God as the hub and the connecting spokes as humankind’s relationship with God. Standing at the perimeter of the wheel, as we move closer to God, we move closer to one another, and as we move further away from God, we move further away from one another.
In a world full of Christians and people of good will, why do things seem to be getting worse and not better? In reflecting on what I have learned from my racial justice work, it seems the answer lies in whom we define as our neighbor. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus does not ask, “Who is your neighbor?” but rather, “Who was neighbor to him?” His question elicits only one answer. Tragically throughout history, in the name of God, Christianity has been used to define “neighbor” and justify the slaughter of indigenous people, the establishment of chattel slavery, and the man-made construct of race. Over 500 years, people who were believed to be good Christians were responsible for the decimation of entire communities because they defined who they wanted their neighbor to be.
As Jesus commands us to love God and love our neighbor, today’s psalm reminds us of who God is and to hear God’s voice. Our conscience, when well-informed, is equivalent to the sacred voice of God. So when the question “Who is your neighbor?” arises, may your answer draw you closer to God.
Reflection:
“Live in such a way so that those who know you but don’t know God will come to know God because they know you.” Author Unknown
- How does the preceding quote speak to you in light of today’s readings?
- Does the wagon wheel offer you a different perspective of the Greatest Commandment?
Abby Causey received her undergraduate degree from Boston College and holds a master of theology from Saint Leo University. She is a founding member of Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice and is an emeritus board member of JustFaith Ministries and serves on its Anti-Racism Core Team. She has worked for the Diocese of Richmond at both the parish and diocesan level and currently serves as the Director of Evangelization and Youth Ministry at Church of the Holy Family in Virginia Beach, VA.
I loved the anonymous quote today: “Live in such a way so that those who know you but don’t know God will come to know God because they know you.” Author Unknown
It is often difficult for me to evangelize boldly among nonbelievers, but this quote spoke to me.
Thank you. I listen each morning as part of my Lenten prayer.
Very true. People often ask me why I do certain things. Then comes my explanation based on the premise that God dwells in each one of us.
When I see the wheel, I see that as we move closer to EACH OTHER, we move closer to GOD.
They defined who they wanted to be their neighbour.It is true we all defined our neighbour.For God we all are his children and we must change the mentality of putting an etiquette on our neighbour. We must listen to the voice of God and love them as they are.sun and rain do their work for bad and good people.we just have to do what we have to do.when we rest in God he gives us peace and freedom.All things become easy even though a terrible storm we know that God abide in us.we continue our way with his grace.
We all ask,at one time or other, “Who is my neighbour?”
It’s too easy to point to people in the Middle East, or, warring factions in Europe.
Smugly , the we become self-appointed teachers. Do this,or, be for ever damned, at least my book .
More often we act like the neighbour who shuts his door, and won’t open it to help his neighbour who comes for help.
How easy to find justification?
Beautiful reflection – you reminded us that Christianity doesn’t need to continue to be defined by our (many) mistakes but rather to live into our world-transforming potential. Thank you and blessings on your work.
Very true. People often ask me why I do the things I do. Then comes my explanation based on the premise that God dwells in each one of us.