Jesus stated, “love your neighbor as yourself”. He went on to illustrate what this meant by telling the story of an unfortunate man who was mugged one day in broad daylight on his way home from the city. This man was passed over by two different individuals who decided not to help him. For this man the third time was the charm. At last a man stopped, picked him up, cleaned him up and dropped him off at a local hotel so that he could regain his strength. This “Good Samaritan”, as he has become known as, also paid the tab of the injured fellow and promised to return and pay any further debt that the man might incur at a future date.

Love your neighbor as yourself. How do we love ourselves anyway?

Ok, time for a reality check. Here are a few of the ways I love myself: if there are only two cookies left, I take the biggest. I buy myself things that I want but don’t necessarily need. If I hurt myself I make sure I see a doctor.  I buy nice clothes for myself….my list could go on for a long time…how about yours?

Love your neighbor as yourself. Who is my neighbor anyway?

Jesus told this story to point out that anyone who isn’t me is my neighbor. Those who live next door are my neighbors. The guy riding my tail to work this morning is my neighbor. My co-worker is my neighbor. The lady who checked me out at the drug store is my neighbor. Even my enemy is my neighbor. You and I have a lot of neighbors.

I am certain I love me, but I am not so sure that I always pass the “Good Samaritan” test with my neighbors. What are some ways that we can begin to see a little of ourselves in ordinary people we meet every day of our lives?

Who have you encountered today?