Loving Our Neighbor

First, we must point out that what the first reading calls “aliens” are immigrants or newcomers. They lived among the Hebrews, but they were not Jewish. God reminds the people of Israel that they themselves were foreigners. That they should not make the same mistake the Egyptians made when they mistreated them.

God uses this same logic not only with foreigners but also in caring for widows and orphans. God asks us to treat them as family, or as if they were our own wives, husbands, or children. Immigrants, widows, orphans, borrowers—all should be treated with compassion.

This compassion should stem from something deeper than fear of punishment. In chapter six of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This weekend’s Gospel passage from Matthew echoes this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus called this the second commandment. The first is to love God totally and completely—heart, mind, and soul. But to keep the first commandment, we must also keep the second.

Jesus said that whatever you do for the poor, the homeless, the sick, or the imprisoned, you do for him. Saint Francis of Assisi saw Jesus in the lepers, who were the poorest of the poor in his time. Jesus himself showed compassion to everyone, even sinners. We cannot truly say that we love God if we do not love the people God has created.

So that gives us two reasons to love our neighbor. First, because God lives in other people, loving God means loving God wherever we find God. Second, God loves them, so if we want to be holy and true sons and daughters of God, we must be like God, our Father and Creator.

As you know, it’s easier to love family and friends, but love doesn’t end there. If we truly love God, we will extend that love beyond our homes and circle of friends. Do we love God? Let’s see if we truly love our neighbor, including the poor, prisoners, immigrants, those who have suffered because of war and natural disasters, widows, orphans, and even our enemies.

May the Lord always give you his peace.

Fr. Lalo Jara, OFM
Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish