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“The awareness of being part of the communion of saints
makes our hearts as wide as the world.”
Henri J. M. Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
A man, from Dallas, Texas, and when ninety years of age, had a disagreement with a bank. His house, which he had lived in for about fifty years, sat adjacent to some land on which the bank planned to build a new facility. The bank wanted to purchase his house and tear it down.
The man refused to sell his house. His propriety was appraised at $86,350, and he claimed the bank offered only $68,000. The bank said it offered more.
The bank decided to build its new facility anyway. What is the result? A bank shaped like a horseshoe around the house. An automatic teller machine gives cash fifteen feet from where the man sleeps. The bank drive-through is in front of the kitchen window.
Who is right and wrong in the above disagreement? Both were legally right, but both may have violated rightness in terms of neighborly consideration.
Philippians 2.4 has, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (ESV). This looking-out-for-each-other is the Way of Love. True harmony and neighborliness evolves from compassionate openness and practical insight into how to care for each other and, likewise, how not to harm each other. With “hearts as wide as the world,” to use the words of Nouwen, we can certainly be considerate of all persons through the One Who is Love.
Spiritual Exercise
1. What have you done recently to give practical assistance to another person?
2. How has someone else provided compassionate assistance to you recently?
Prayer
Jesus, you give me the example of a servant, help me be one. Amen.
Brian's book of mystical love poetry,
An Ache for Union, can be ordered through major bookdealers.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
The People of the
United Methodist Church
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