Who is my neighbour?

 

The helper is a neighbour; the helped is a neighbour.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, October 9th, 2023  Texts: Jonah 1:1-17.2:1.10; Canticle Jonah 2:3-5,8; Luke 10:25-37  

“Who is my neighbour?” was the question a lawyer asked Jesus Christ. He did not ask question about God even when the command also contained the love of God. That means he was not confused about who God is.

A man who could know God he did not see, did not know his neighbour he could see. What does this tell us? Perhaps, defect in religious knowledge, myopic understanding, stereotype religious ways of life, etc. No wonder Jesus asked him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" The question is to us now: “How do we read Scripture?”  

The response of Jesus to the lawyer’s question breaks all boundaries. The understanding of neighbour goes beyond family, culture, ethnic group, nation, race, colour, religion, etc. Traditionally Jesus’ story is read to mean our neighbour is anyone who is in deed. This is in considering the lawyer’s question, “who is my neighbour?”   

The understanding is different when we consider Jesus’ question. It is not “To whom, among the three, is the man who fell among robbers is a neighbour? Jesus rather says, “Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” They answered,  "The one who showed mercy on him." It means the helper, which is the good Samaritan, is the neighbour. The two understandings are correct. The helped and the helper are neighbours to each other.   

Scripture is for salvation of souls

Whichever of the two understandings we employ in reading the command to love our neighbours is correct. From the understanding of the lawyer’s question it means go and help one who is in need. From the understanding of Jesus’ question it means go and be a neighbour to someone; to be a neighbour is to help. Here comes again the question, “how do we read Scripture?” We are to read Scripture for salvation of souls. Scripture is for salvation of souls.  

The helper is a neighbour; the helped is a neighbour. When I am in need you are my neighbour as you offer your help. You help me because I am your neighbour and you are my neighbour. The relationship is not that of employee and employer, boss and servant, senior and junior, superior and inferior, etc. The relationship is like that of friends; they are both friends. You help me because we are both neighbours: You are my neighbour, I am your neighbour.   

Jonah, in today’s first reading, proves a neighbour to the mariners as he says, "Take me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you." Some people will prefer the whole world to die because of them. 

Understanding of neighbour breaks all boundaries. 

The mariners also prove neighbours to Jonah as they were reluctant to throw him into the sea. We read, “Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring the ship back to land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them.”  

It is also clear in the first reading that understanding of neighbour breaks all boundaries. The mariners had different gods and so from different cultures, nationality, beliefs, etc, yet they were neighbours to one another. Everyone who has the image of God is our neighbour. Every helper or one who in need is a neighbour.   

Prayer   

God our Father, give us good reading and understanding of your word; help us to be neighbour to one another, that your Kingdom may be among us. Amen  

 Fr. Andrew Olowomuke