On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:25-29
“Some people think that their neighbor is their brother, family, relative, or kinsman. Our Lord teaches who our neighbor is in the Gospel parable. of a certain man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho… Everyone is our neighbor, and we should not harm anyone. If, on the contrary, we understand our fellow human beings to be only our brother and relatives, is it then permissible to do evil to stranger? God forbid such a belief! We are neighbors, all people to all people, for we have one Father.”
Jerome of Stridon (c. 347-420) in Homily on Psalm 14 as recounted in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
Happy New Year! This year I have decided to explore the connection between generosity and our neighbor. That means my word for the year is neighbor.
When a lawyer asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus responded to love the Lord and love his neighbor. The lawyer gave an unforgettable reply, “Who is my neighbor?”
We will start by asking Jerome to answer the question. The early Church gave him the title doctor and many ancient voices testified that he was the greatest of the doctors in clarifying the meaning of the Word.
So, how does Jerome answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” He states it plainly. “We are neighbors, all people to all people, for we have one Father.”
That said, when you think about your generosity, do you think about it going to certain people or all people? Ponder that as the new year begins. I pray that in 2024 we all grow in our generosity to everyone.