In Jesus’ teaching, love of neighbor is active, sacrificial, and not bound by the societal barriers that we tend to create. Jesus, quoting the Old Testament, states that love of God and neighbor is the summation of the law. In the OT rendering of God’s law given to Israel and in Jesus’ interpretation of those same moral laws in the NT, care for vulnerable individuals is central. The "quartet of the vulnerable" - widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor - are all mentioned over and over. Who are the "foreigners" living alongside us, specifically our refugee neighbors? How does life in Denver look for them? Loving neighbors beyond barriers is a choice. But it is not purely sacrificial. Connection to our neighbors enriches our lives, expands our understanding, and grows our love and faith.
Organizations mentioned in today's episode:
Lutheran Family Services (https://www.lirs.org/)
African Community Center (https://www.acc-den.org/)
Project Worthmore (https://projectworthmore.org/)
