Hi
I’ve been haunted recently by the image of persons, women and youth in particular, being shuttled off to meet their untimely fate. I cannot place the source of the imagery, but the fate of these women call out to me as if to say – so are you going to ignore us? Even had I wished to, I have two compelling reasons;
it’s part of my call (to at least draw attention to such situations if I can’t effect help) and
the implications of today’s Holy Nougat
“A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:39 NLT
In a world where violence is no longer acceptable as normative; yet claims the lives of so many people, both literally and mentally/emotionally, can we stand aside and do nothing? What really does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves?
Does it mean silence to injustice or abuse for fear of getting involved? Or do we recall that under other circumstances, that might be us? Does it mean we contribute to the injustices and indignities meted out to someone because we can? Or do we take a stand, even when it’s not the popular thing to do?
Who IS our neighbor – the one who is my exact replica (probably family) or the Other (like those who keep haunting me)?
If we are honest to ourselves, we might admit that we hardly ever love our neighbors in God’s way. Time things changed in our neighborhood.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
