Loving your neighbor: it means including others who don't deserve to be.
"My roommate always eats more then his share of the food!"
"I wish my little brother would grow up and stop being so annoying!"
"My lab partner is so lazy, why doesn't he ever do his share of work?!"
The world is full of hypocrites who claim they love people and God yet live such self-serving lives they miss out on the opportunity to serve others.
We don't want to hear, "I love you but only on the condition..." We want to know you love us even with our mistakes... Thats what it means to love everyone, even those who aren't our friends.
Most of us know all faiths teach us to treat others as we wish to be treated. We are also guided to go beyond the 'Golden Rule' in truly loving those who mistreat or hurt us. It's a huge challenge for which we need divine strength.
ReplyDelete"Care for the stranger as for one of your own; show to alien souls the same loving kindness you bestow upon your faithful friends.
You must manifest complete love and affection toward all mankind. Do not exalt yourselves above others, but consider all as your equals, recognizing them as the servants of one God.
Know that God is compassionate toward all; therefore, love all from the depths of your hearts, prefer all religionists before yourselves, be filled with love for every race, and be kind toward the people of all nationalities.
Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise without distinction. Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of another. Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good.
You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly.
Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred.
Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If some one commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others..."
~from The Promulgation of Universal Peace