How to be a neighbor

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle C

"Who is my neighbor?" is the question posed by a lawyer to Jesus. Perhaps in this humorous anecdote we can also get a glimpse on who the real neighbor should be.

May nahulog sa kanal.
Uzi: ay, nahulog siya sa kanal.
Uzi: hihihi, nahulog siya sa kanal.
Realist: may kanal.
Optimist: kaya mo yan.
Pessimist: wala nang pag-asa yan.
News reporter: ngayong, nahulog ka sa kanal, anong nararamdaman mo?
City official: may permit ka bang mahulog sa kanal?
Matematician: gaano kaya kalalim ang kanal?
Doctor: baka maimpeksyon ka sa kanal.
Pari: may tatlong punto akong ipapaliwanag tungkol sa kanal.
BIR agent: nagbayad ka ba ng tax para isara ang kanal?
Jesus: Kunin mo ang aking mga kamay.

It is undeniable that true love can only be found in action. Remember the Church's spiritual and corporal works mercy? Simplest as they may sound, but doing them may constitute the most profound commitment to being a true Christian. Visit the sick, clothe the naked, bury the dead, console the lonely, advice the wayward ...

In action, we commit our fullest selves, put ourselves on the line, utilize every gift we have for the sake of the other. This is the quality of being a "neighbor". We extend Christ's loving arms to others through us.