LETTERS: WHAT IS A NEIGHBOR?

To the editor:

When we think of a neighbor, what do we really think about? It is someone who lives near us? Usually, that is the most often thought or concept. Are they permanent? Maybe a neighbor today or perhaps a lifetime. Would you say they are friendly, sociable, accommodating? Or perhaps someone you know or think you know better than some other people? Maybe even a great jovial personality that you enjoy very much. Or is it someone who calls you frequently or visits you often?

If we really want to know who our neighbor is, let us go back to the guidebook for mankind, always the ultimate source for any subject.

In Luke 10:29, a lawyer asks Christ, "Who is my neighbor?" Then Christ explained about a man being robbed, even his clothes, and left half-dead. A priest and a Levite came by, looked at him and passed by. Then the Samaritan came by, had compassion and helped him, showed great mercy for him. A true neighbor. And he probably had many of the traits mentioned above.

But compassion and mercy plus concern, which is love in action, set him apart as a true neighbor. If we have a neighbor or neighbors, we are commanded to love them as ourselves. The last six of the 10 Commandments are directed toward our neighbor, and the first four toward our creator.

Romans 13:9 explains the neighbor part. I'm sure most of know how a neighbor should be. Of course, we have to love our enemies also, if we have any. Vengeance is God's, not ours.

We are warned in Proverbs 25:17 to not visit your neighbor too much lest he becomes weary of you and hates you. A man who lies about his neighbor is like a club or a sharp arrow.

So we need to be careful about our part if we have good neighbor, and cultivate our relationship toward them and do unto them as we would want them to do to us. And if they do the same toward us, it will be a lot more peaceful world.

HOWARD BRENNECKE

Marble Hill