Thought for the week

‘Let love make you serve one another. For the whole law is summed up in one commandment; “Love you neighbour as you love yourself’ Galatians 5 v13-14

THE horrific fire disaster in the Grenfell Tower has resulted in unprecedented loss of life, families, friends and homes.

Yet, in the midst of such suffering, the truth of these words has been demonstrated by the heroic actions of the emergency services and the compassionate response of local people in their spontaneous giving of time, food, shelter, clothes and support.

There has been an outpouring of neighbourly concerned action for all in need, in whatever ways people have been drawn to help.

This reaction is found when the stream of God’s loving care, always present in suffering, wells up into lives; this enables the giving of selfless courage and care, often to unknown people, as we have witnessed in recent days.

According to Jesus, in his well- known story of the Good Samaritan, the term ‘neighbour’ refers to ‘ anyone in need’ and also to the ‘one who gives help’ wherever it is needed. Central to this is the bond of partnership through working together, which provides the ‘glue’ that holds together a caring community.

Jesus’ answer to the question-’Who is my Neighbour?’- is that anyone in need is a neighbour and that help for that person must be as wide as the love and grace of God. Compassion, to be real, must result in loving deeds.