FINDING GOD Part 8:  Finding God in neighbors near and far The house here is being painted through the generous work of volunteers, along with family members.  The builders represent the theme of this part of our Retreat: responding to needs of neighbors near and far. Begin by thinking about this question: who is your neighbor?  This is the question a lawyer asks Jesus.  The lawyer knew the correct answer about loving God above all things and loving your neighbor as yourself. In replying to the lawyer's question Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan.  You remember the point of the story: a neighbor is one who shows compassion to anyone in need.   You may want to turn Luke's gospel (10:29-37) and pray about how you are a neighbor: A man who fell victim to robbers along the way was helped by a Samaritan (Jews and Samaritans were enemies).  A priest and a Levite (both Jews) passed him by, but this Samaritan traveler, moved by compassion, paid the innkeeper, saying he would pay more money, if needed, upon his return. Jesus asks: "Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robber's victim?" How would you answer?   You encounter your neighbor whenever we find someone in need of compassion.  This neighbor may be next door or in the next state or on the other side of the world.   What are some of the good things you have heard about your neighbors recently?  What have you done for them or they for you? Shoveling their sidewalk or taking in their mail when they are away?  Helping an elderly woman with her grocery shopping?  Visiting a lonely person or taking him some of your homemade soup?   What about your neighborhood?  Are you involved in activities for communal gardening?  Have you helped to organize a block party?  Have you campaigned to elect competent and just officials?  What are the injustices you hear about through conversation with your neighbors and what do you do about them?   You are probably familiar with the motto, "Think globally, act locally."  What can you do about injustices local or worldwide?  Being just (or righteous) is foundational to all authentic spiritualities.  Prophets throughout the ages have called their neighbors to do what is needed, to do justice.   The prophet Micah says that the Lord requires of everyone:           "Only to do the right and to love goodness,        And to walk humbly with your God" (6:8).   Take time now to reflect on the Micah passage or on this passage from the prophet Isaiah: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?  Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of God shall be your rear guard" (58:6-8).   Karl Barth, a great Protestant theologian of the last century, taught that an effective practice for expanding a sense of justice is to read with the daily newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other.  In this way we can connect contemporary happenings with Jesus' message of the good news, the gospel.  In the gospel we see what it means to give freedom, dignity, and equality to all.  Praying in this way just might transform the world--and us.   By following the contemporary Catholic approaches to social justice we can further the kin-dom of God.  Reading the signs of the times and bringing our personal experience to social problems in our neighborhood, our city, the world is a way to bring about "right relationships" (other words for justice).  These right relationships help us to build up a just and peaceful society and can replace the network of domination, oppression, and abuse whether in families and nations.   With the current technology of instant communications we are aware of the entire world.  With this awareness we can help to bring about a new world order by living Christian social principles which are based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   You might want to review your own awareness and involvement in these principles (adapted from economist, Amata Miller, IHM, in Network Connection, Dec.-Jan., 2009, p. 6)       •    Dignity of every person: How do you promote the dignity of person regardless of his/her social status, race, gender, nationality, type of employment, and human achievement?     •    Co-responsibility for the common good: How do you collaborate with others to bring about a more just, humane, and sustainable world for all God?' people?     •    Preservation of Earth:  What are you doing to preserve Earth for further generations?     •    Solidarity: How do you recognize every member of the human family as "neighbor"?  How do you share in the abundance God has created for all?     •    Special concern for those who are poor and vulnerable: Do you listen to and respond to the biblical tradition about special care for children, women and "strangers in the land"?  What about those in great need in our world today? What is your reaction to these principles? Are you nodding your head in agreement or are you saying, "Oh, no, not more of this"?  Maybe your reaction can lead you to an examination of conscience about your concern for social justice and Christian social principles.   Follow this examination of conscience by choosing a story in the news about an unjust situation.  Reflect on what you might do to help bring about the needed justice.  Praying is an important way of helping.  Compose in your heart or in your journal a prayer for the persons affected by this injustice.   At the conclusion of this retreat reflect again on your journey and on the loving God with whom you journey.  How have you grown in your relationship with God and deepened your understanding of yourself and others?  Pray these words slowly: "God of the universe, you speak to me in all of creation.  You call me to be my work, in my leisure, in my relationships with others and all of creation.  Deepen my faith in your presence, give me hope in the midst of my everyday life, and hold me in your love. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ my brother. Amen."   As you come to the end of this retreat, return to the questions you were asked at the beginning:        What has God said to you during this retreat?        What have you said to God? What do you say to God as you end this eight-part retreat on FINDING GOD?