Column: The Duty to Love Belongs to Us

“Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” – Luke 10:36-37

A couple of weeks ago, I was reflecting on the daily gospel reading, the parable of the Good Samaritan. A scholar of the law asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. The man knows the law well; when asked what he thinks on the subject, he tells Jesus that he must love God entirely, and love his neighbor as himself. But the man wished to justify himself—to show that he is doing all that could be expected of him—so he asks another question: “And who is my neighbor?”
 

Jesus responds with a story of a man beaten, robbed, and left for dead, not only by the bandits who committed the crime, but by a priest and a Levite passing by as well. Only a Samaritan—an enemy of the Jews—shows compassion and mercy to the victim, caring for his immediate needs and providing for his future care as well.

Jesus turns the scholar’s question “Who is my neighbor?” on its head, putting the duty of being a neighbor on the scholar himself. Love of neighbor is an action we undertake as faithful disciples of God, not something begged by another person because of proximity, blood, or belief.

Love is not earned by the other. It is owed them, as persons made in the holy image of God.

I see two tendencies in myself that fall short of the standard Jesus sets in this story. First, I also wish to justify myself. At times I wheedle with God about the good I do or don’t do: I know I’m not perfect, Lord, but I’m good enough, aren’t I? Surely You can’t expect more of me…

I know the answer: He does expect more. The truth is, I don’t desire to do more.

The second tendency is that I want others to be lovable before I love them or to show they will appreciate my love before I give it to them. I want them to earn it. Like the legal scholar, I want my scope of love defined, so I can accomplish it and check the box. I want to know “Who is my neighbor?” so I can manage my resources accordingly.

Heaven forbid I love my neighbor too much.

We are surrounded by people in need, even here in God’s country. Our community is growing and changing, and we’re headed into a contentious and historic election season. We have so many opportunities and reasons to view those around us as strangers or enemies, or to demand them to be lovable before we love them back.

But that is not Jesus’ way. That is not our way.

Love of neighbor is not dependent on the one to be loved, but on the decisive action of the lover. The onus of Christian behavior falls upon Christians. May our example draw more and more people to Jesus, that they too may know and share His love. Amen.