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Good Neighbor, Good News
by Laura Curll

Growing up, I can remember hearing of how my grandmother would do the household chores in the morning, and by afternoon, retire to her rocking chair on the porch of her home where she enjoyed visiting with neighbors as part of her daily routine.  Knowing that my grandmother led a life of faithfulness to the Lord, it stands to reason that her neighbors not only felt her warm, inviting presence upon arrival, but left with a secure sense of being loved as well.

In his Encyclical Letter, God Is Love (Deus Caritas Est), Pope Benedict XVI writes, “Anyone who needs me, and whom I can help, is my neighbor.”  He goes on to say that “in God and with God, I love even the person whom I do not like or even know.  Then I learn to look on this other person not simply with my own eyes and feelings, but from the perspective of Jesus Christ.  His friend is my friend.”  Our Holy Father is also expected to emphasize the “love of God, love of neighbor” message when addressing interfaith and ecumenical dialogues upon his visit to the U.S. this month.

From an evangelization standpoint, loving our neighbor sets the stage for a natural manifestation of experiencing God’s love firsthand, through sharing the Gospel message that God sent His Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of all humanity, not just our own.  Loving God and witnessing to His love become apparent, creating a visible sign of the very existence of Christ to those who may have lost touch with Him or are yet to know Him intimately.  This is often prevalent when I share the Good News with those whom I have never met before.  For others to receive a welcoming greeting as one of God’s own, a solid handshake that confirms the human bond, a listening ear and perhaps a warm hug indicative of the inclusiveness of being brothers and sisters in Christ can be very powerful building blocks of faith.  I’ve been strengthened in my own relationship with Christ to receive this love from my neighbor as well as to share it with them.  

Experiencing the immeasurable love of our Lord in unity with others can lead to greater opportunities in perpetuating the evangelizing mission of the Church.  After all, giving witness to His presence in us presents an assurance to our neighbors that what we are delivering is indeed The Good News!