Thursday, September 15, 2016

Love Your Neighbor


A WITNESS BY LAURA LAFAYETTE

In the gospel of Matthew, when Jesus is asked which is the greatest commandment, he replies: “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” At this point, he has answered the question; but he goes on to say: “and the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus explicitly links the command to live in right relationship with God to living in right relationships with our fellow human beings. Many resources can aid our efforts to live in right relationship with God: the biblical texts, sermons that provide insights into the texts, the opportunity to gather in worship, and spiritual disciplines—chief among them, prayer.


But how are we to love our neighbors? Our neighbors must be fed, clothed, sheltered; that’s why so many at Christ Church are involved in ministries that meet basic needs. That’s essential. Those needs will always be there; and they must always be met.

And yet, what if we could envision a regional community in which the necessity for these kinds of yeoman efforts to meet basic needs was few and far between, a community in which each and every one of us—no matter the circumstances of our birth—had an opportunity to flourish? For me, to “love your neighbor” is to work towards the creation of “communities of opportunity.” Communities of opportunity are communities that boast attractive, affordable housing—both rental and owner occupied. These houses line safe streets. The children in these homes have the opportunity to attend high performing public schools. The adults earn wages that enable them to meet the needs of their loved ones. The jobs, education, and housing are all linked by a multi-modal public transit system that stretches across the region. And woven throughout all of this is a rich tapestry of natural and cultural amenities that are accessible and affordable to all. In a nutshell, the goal of building communities of opportunity is to secure social justice through public policy.

So advocating for Bus Rapid Transit, working to pass bond referendums that will funnel more money to schools, changing zoning codes to allow for the development of affordable housing (even in the suburbs!)—all are acts of loving our neighbors. The pursuit of social justice through systemic changes in public policy presents us with a chance not only to transform our neighbors’ lives but ours as well. When I lobby local governments, I speak their language—budget priorities, cost-savings, return on investment, etc. And every word of that is true; social justice is the most efficacious, cost efficient public policy we could possibly pursue. But I know as well that my faith compels the work; because to love our God is to love and serve our neighbors.

—Laura Lafayette is the chair of our Missions & Outreach Ministry Team and is the chair of the board of directors for the Better Housing Coalition.


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