The Parable of the Good Irishman?
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘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.’”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:25-29
This law expert had the correct answer, but applied it incorrectly. That he wanted to justify himself indicates that he regularly limited his definition of “neighbor.” How easy it is to define our neighbor as “those who look like me, think like me, believe like me, and/or behave like me.” The rest can be ignored or treated as “other.” The Irish, upon their arrival in the US, were frequently depicted as ape-like beasts – less than human, alien. Other immigrants have had the same experience. Mexicans are drug dealers and rapists. Anyone from the Middle East is a terrorist. Africans are sub-human and uncivilized.
Time for confession… When have you limited your definition of “neighbor.” What was the basis of excluding a person or a group of people from that definition? If they are not your neighbor, what are they? How does the limited definition of “neighbor” make it easier to do harm to those we exclude?
Each day (except Sundays) during Lent, we will post a Scripture for reflection on our theme, “Military Withdrawal.” Together, we will learn to walk in God’s ways of peacemaking and reconciliation. These posts are meant to stimulate conversation and interaction. Please post your thoughts and comments.
Tongue on Fire 