Article September 11, 1989 Issue

Loving our neighbor opens the way for healing

Janet Heineman Clements

The town in which our family lived was one block wide and eight blocks long. It was completely surrounded by a large city. Despite the closeness of the city, though, it had managed to retain the neighborliness of a small town. When we first moved in, there were many proofs of this. Some people brought over food, others offered to help with heavy boxes. There was a real neighborly spirit.

In thinking about these kindnesses, I saw that they were part of fulfilling of the "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."^{Mark 12:31.} Christ Jesus cited this command as one of the two great commandments. To obey this command makes a difference in our lives; it opens up avenues to blessing and healing not only for us but for our neighbor as well. In order to obey it, though, a clear understanding of its meaning is needed.

Jesus' life example clarified how and to what extent we are to love our neighbor. And the parable of the good Samaritan^{See Luke 10:30-37.} shows our neighbor to be not just one who lives next door but everyone we meet along our pathway of life.

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