Love your Neighbor

‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31.

St. Francis of Assisi looked at all things with love. His love for all is clear in his Canticle of Creation. “But as St. Francis did not love humanity but men, so he did not love Christianity but Christ.”  ― G. K. Chesterton, St. Francis of Assisi

He found great joy in serving the poor. He identified himself as a “Minore.” For St. Francis, "poverty and service are part of a subordination of himself to God, through the service of others." - Fr. Thompson, author of the 2012 book "Francis of Assisi: A New Biography."

We can all use Francis as an example of sacrifice and service. Who is your neighbor? It’s the person who lives right next to you. It’s everyone, everywhere How can we be a witness of Christ if we don’t live out the Gospel by love for all, even our enemies. How do we do this?

Empty the closet of things you can donate. Give an hour to help at a neighborhood soup kitchen. Check on a neighbor. There are plenty of opportunities to service the poor. Look around, take the time to look for those organizations in your area. 

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

 — St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

So go, Love your neighbor!