You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31
Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 19:19
The idea of loving our neighbor is an old one, repeated by Jesus and the apostle Paul. It passes the test called “the rule of third mention”, where a concept is so important that its found in the old testament, Jesus teaching, and the apostles teaching as well. So this one must be important. And, indeed it is… its the second great commandment.
What does that look like for me? Well, it begins with knowing my neighbor (literally and figuratively). I am acquainted with Tony, his wife and daughters who live to the left. But, the neighbors on the right are complete strangers. Uggh. I have met the new ones across the street and have had a couple conversations… I got some work to do there. I just received an invitation to bring my wife down the street and around the block to some neighbors whose daughters attend my school.
God, I love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love my neighbors. I am sucking at it.
