October 30, 2011: Urban Entry – Michael Hidalgo and Dave Neuhausel

Someone once asked Jesus, “who is my neighbor?” He answered by telling a story…  

 

The story is about a weak and abused man who is in great need and is ignored by religious people who are too fearful and distracted to help him.  Then a stranger notices the man and with great compassion and care he decides to sacrifice his social and financial status for the sake of caring for the man in need… 

 

Jesus said that the man who had the most compassion is the neighbor.  To say it another way - Jesus said that anyone who is weak and in need around you is your neighbor.  

 

We live in an increasingly urbanized society.  In 2008 a shift took place, a global benchmark for cities occurred.  For the first time in our world there were more people living in urban settings than rural.  Our world is also increasingly diverse and globalized.  That is to say that as much as the world gets bigger, more populated and complex, it conversely is getting smaller through more readily accessible and connected communication, commerce and cultural diversity.  While India is thousands of miles away we make choices everyday that affect people in that country.  Our world is increasingly interconnected.   We have neighbors all around us, some around our home, others just across the boarders of our country, still others over vast seas.  Jesus was always crossing boundaries – cultural, religious, social, etc.  He commanded his followers to do the same.  We want to be a community of exceptional neighbors who dare to cross boundaries with justice and compassion. 

 

So, who then is your neighbor?