Who Is Our Neighbor?

When I visit the public library in Williamsburg, the beautiful stained glass windows bring back fond memories. The building was formerly the Presbyterian Church where my family and I worshiped. I can still hear Irene Miller playing the Sunday morning chimes as they echoed throughout our neighborhood.

Coming of age in the ’70s when church membership waned due to an aging population, I was one of the youngest members. I wore many hats as a young Christian in a small church. I was a Sunday school teacher, collected the offering, provided special music, was on the session, and eventually became an elder. The experience was a positive one for me. I always felt my time and talents were valued.

In retrospect, I am thankful that my early church experience in Williamsburg was one of love and acceptance. I can still hear our minister’s voice at the conclusion of our weekly Confession when she replied to us, “Who is in a position to judge? Only Christ….”

I was reminded of this message when I recently read my daily devotions by Catholic theologian Henri Nouwen. In his entry “Bridging the Gap Between People,” Nouwen explained how we truly become neighbors:

“As long as there is distance between us and we cannot look into each other’s eyes, all sorts of false ideas and images arise. We give them names, make jokes about them, cover them with our prejudices, and avoid direct contact. We think of them as enemies. We forget that they love as we love, care for their children as we care for ours, become sick and die as we do. We forget that they are our brothers and sisters and treat them as objects that can be destroyed at will.”

He concluded by saying that “only when we have the courage to cross the road and look in one another’s eyes can we see there that we are children of the same God and members of the same human family.”

Although it was first written in 1985, I think Nowen’s message is a timely one, not only for our country, but also for our neighbors.

Excerpt from “Bread for the Journey – A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith” by Henri Nouwen.