WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR

Last Sunday's Gospel read at my church was Luke, 10: 23-37, the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Our Church Bulletin had a "Reflection" from one of the Fathers of the Church, St. Gregory Nazianzen. I thought it worthwhile posting here.  At some time in the near future I want to touch on the subject of Social Justice.  The way it is being defined these days is not true social justice. Anyway, I will get around to it.  Meanwhile, the following is just common love for our neighbor.  Gregory was a Bishop, Confessor and named a Doctor of the Church. He was educated at Athens in all the sciences. He became Bishop of Nazianzen and his profound knowledge earned him the title of Doctor and Theologian. He died in the year 389 A.D.

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    For in  nothing do we draw so close to God as in doing good to man. Though God does the greater things, and man the less, yet each, I believe, works according to his capacity. He made man; and when man is undone, He remakes him. Never despise fallen man. God has shown mercy to him in the highest degree; giving him, with other things, the Law and the Prophets, and before that, the natural unwritten law, the examiner of all our actions, which warns us, corrects us, guides us. And lastly He gave us Himself, for our redemption, and for the life of the world, and with this, Apostles, Evangelists, Teachers, Pastors (Eph. 4; 11), healings, wonders, return to life, the undoing of death, victory over him who had defeated us, a Testament foreshadowing Him, the Testament of the True Reality, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the mystery of the new salvation.

     You however, if you also would do great things, and those by which your soul is helped (and in this also God has made you rich, if you so will), never refuse to do good to those who have need of you. First and before all things, give to him who asks of you, even before he asks; showing mercy all the day, and lending all the day long (Ps. 6: 26), carefully seeking back both principal and interest; that is, increase (of God) in him you helped; for he always adds to his store of wisdom who prudently increases in himself the seeds of piety.

     But if you cannot help in these greater things, then help in the second or lesser things, as far as you can. Give help. Help others to live. Give food, clothing, medicines, apply remedies to the afflicted, bind up their wounds, ask about their misfortunes, speak with them of patience and forbearance, come close to them, you will not be harmed....Do not despise your brother; do not pass him by!....Perhaps I have shamed you, saying these things to you. But I have set before you the rule of love of your neighbor, even should those who are hostile turn you away from accepting it.

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                             And I see in my mind's eye Mother Teresa of Calcutta

9/9/11