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Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"    Luke 10:25-29

     Don't hold me to it, but I am rather certain that the opening lyrics went something like this - "People, who need people, are the luckiest people in the world." I can still hear the voice of Barbara Streisand singing that once very popular song. However, I'm not sure that luck has very much, if anything, to do with people needing people. Don't we all need each other?
     Recall the occasion when Jesus was asked, "Teacher, what shall we do to inherit eternal life?" His response, "Love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself." The question was pushed a little harder, "But who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied by telling the story of the Good Samaritan. Neither priest nor Levite saw the need to help the robbed and beaten man by the side of the road. They could not care less about their neighbor. On the other hand, the Samaritan passing by could not close his eyes to the need of his neighbor. People who need people, and care for them, are the wisest people in the world.
     In a recent issue of The New York Times, there was an article of human interest entitled, "Raising Sash for a View of the City's Ballet."" In East Harlem, Marcelina Figuero (in the picture above ) treats her roost like a combination take-out counter and dispensary offering ice water, coffee, food, Band-Aids and Tylenol to those who are in need. In Little Italy, Crown Heights, and the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and around the world, there are many others modeled in the image of Ms. Figuero. Day by day they look out at nothing and at everything. They care about people, and it gives substance to their lives.

Gracious God,
Enlighten our minds and open our hearts that we may respond to the needs and concerns of those who are our neighbors in this walk of life. Lead us to find fulfillment in giving rather than getting. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen

Contributed by Tom and Jeanne
Sunday December 2, 2007
Liturgical Year A Week 1