Our neighbor is the one lying in the road

Sometimes violence comes from the lust for power or wealth. But for most of us, I think it comes more often from fear and anger and the acceptance of violence, believing the lie that violence resolves anything. All it does is lead to more violence.

So the way through these violent times is the way of love – of courage and compassion – of learning what to do with our fear and anger (which may be appropriate and certainly understandable – there is a reason, if not an excuse).

We can no longer justify ourselves by explaining away that our neighbor is anyone other than the one lying on the road, desperately in need of help. Nothing else matters. – Race, gender identity, religion, disability, economic status…nothing! All that matters is that we move beyond our fear and show love to all.