Epiphany

January 6, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Acts 8:14-17

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Remember the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus used it to illustration the answer to the question, “who is my neighbor?” The Jewish people did not consider Samaritans as their equal and certainly not their neighbor, recognizing that neighbor means more than living on adjoining property. So Jesus was essentially saying that all people are to be treated like a good neighbors.

I have experienced living next door to a person who made it difficult to be neighborly at times. My house was being reroofed after a significant storm. My house is old and has an exceptionally steep roof, so it was no easy job. It was also over 100 degrees every day they worked. My doorbell rang and I met the roofing company manager who came to apologize to me for his workers’ throwing the old shingles on the ground in front of my house. I must have looked curious when I responded, asking him how else they could have gotten them down. It was his turn to look at me curiously. He said his office had gotten a call complaining about it, and he assumed it was from me. I assured him I had not made that call, but I was sure who did. I apologized for my neighbor’s inappropriate interference. I assured him I was very impressed with his staff. They were very polite and worked very hard, doing their best to be as tidy as possible.

People have not changed much in 2000 years. The story in Acts recorded above tells us that people can change if they are intentional, and their hearts are opened to the teachings of One, who called us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We need to emphasize both parts of that advice. I believe much of the discord in today’s world results from not loving ourselves enough to love our neighbors. Somehow, most of us are taught directly or indirectly that we must be better than others to be people of worth. That is simply not true. All God expects of us is to be the best at being us when we do that, we can learn to understand others better and welcome them into our neighborhood ruled by God.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we fail to love ourselves so that we can love others without prejudice or privilege. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.