Cynthia Wier

Matthew 22:36-40
“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Reflection:
On a day just before Christmas, I was walking near my house. Everyone had decorated their yards with sparkling strings of lights, bright red bows on trees, a snowman figure in front, and reindeer with a sleigh to bring children gifts on that most magical night of the year.

As one on the committee to observe all the beautiful sights on each street and select three winners, I noticed a small sign with blue lettering printed on white cardboard. It read simply: “Love Thy Neighbor.”  It got my attention because it did not light up and glow with glitter and ribbons.  Nothing else had been placed there to mark the holiday season.

On the next day, the small sign was still there among all the festive decor surrounding it on other houses. And all through the next few weeks, as I walked, I began to check to see this  declaration of kindness,

When I think about the last year and try to reach out to the families surrounding my home,  I think back to the times I have been the recipient of homemade meals brought to my front door.  And then I remember the flowers that my mother received as she recovered from surgery – beautiful pansies in a small bowl from her friend across the street. And, going back even to earlier years, there were the Boy Scout and Camp Fire leaders who devoted so much time to a group of children working on badges and learning about cooking, growing backyard gardens, local history of my community.  

My mother and father certainly spent hours with the neighborhood kids driving them to team practices, hosting parties for our youth groups at Christmas,  and donating outgrown clothes to families who needed something to wear to one special event.  

It was expected that we include classmates for birthday parties and make each child feel welcome.  

Much more recently, I can only say thank you again to all neighbors who brought food, books, plants, and good cheer to me when I was propped up on the couch recovering from my broken ankle.  

God asks us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Neighbors are not just the ones on your block. They are the ones in your small group or book club who support you all through the year. They may be someone in the choir with whom you sing each week and are there when you have a loss in your family. Just showing up with a yellow zinnia plant is saying “We Care.”

God asks us to share the talents that God has given us. The many wonderful friends who have sewn masks for so many during this very difficult last year. The creative and hard-working gardeners not only send you flowers to celebrate your birthday but come to your door to speak words of love and kindness when you are facing surgery and treatments. A friend who takes you in during floods, storms, hurricanes and just sits with you and talks but mostly listens.

God asks us to go out of our way to help others. We can drive friends to church when they have had knee or foot surgery or when their car is being repaired.  It may take a little more time but also may provide you with a little piece of conversation where you laugh and remember times together.

God asks us to take a quiet period during the day to read God’s word, then reflect on how we may follow his commandments.

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus asks all of us to love the Lord with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds. In so doing we are following the second great commandment – loving our neighbors near and far.

My walks around the neighborhood still help me keep my eyes open for signs of God’s commandments. Little kids say hello when they whiz by on their bikes. A stranger becomes a friend as we introduce ourselves, and I inquire how they’re handling the challenges we face. How the schools are going for their children, scheduling vaccines for Covid, smiling at couples walking their dogs.  

My great joy is that the sign “Love Thy Neighbor” is still displayed in that yard after all these months since Christmas decorations gave us joy and cheer.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, teach us to watch out for small examples of “loving thy neighbor as ourselves.”  We never know when a word, a smile, just a plate of cookies may lift the heart of any one of our neighbors. Remind us that we can be God’s Ambassadors of Caring for those around us. Amen.