Luke 10: 29 (NRSV)
But
wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
With
the rendering of the verdict in the trial of the State of Florida vs. George
Zimmerman a nation exhaled. Collectively
many had held their breath waiting for the outcome of this polarizing and
divisive narrative unfolding around the tragic events that had taken place over
18 months ago. Some cried in anguish
over the verdict. Some shared silent
prayers of relief. And in the end the
altered trajectory of two families’ experiences and lives had taken yet another
painful turn.
I can’t begin to imagine the reality that this set of events has created for these families. And yet as I am confronted daily and almost constantly with media opinions, Facebook posts, pundit’s rants, and nonstop discussion of this very topic, I find myself contemplating what my role in this discussion/ debate could or should be. It seems as if this question is particularly significant at this moment in our nation’s shared experience. As we find ourselves alternating between burn-out, grief, relief, shock, outrage and so many conflicting emotions as a people, this question is one that echoes in my thoughts and digs itself into my consciousness. As a man who calls himself (and tries, however imperfectly, to live as) a disciple of Christ, I am challenged by the texts surrounding the question “And who is my neighbor?”
