How do you define neighbor?

Do you know your neighbors--by more than a nodding acquaintance? Some of you probably do--good for you! The rest of us hardly know our neighbors' names. As for me, I know the neighbor's orange tabby cat, Taco--who comes routinely to visit. Back up in Maine, we knew our "southern" neighbors well, since we shared a driveway. But even with them, it wasn't a real relationship. Maybe neighbors in the sense of Dennis the Menace and Mr. Wilson are another part of 1950's America that we've grown out of?

In this week's gospel Jesus talks with a temple "lawyer," who asks about eternal life and how to achieve it. Jesus tells him to love God and neighbor. He replies by asking "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus then tells the story of a man robbed and left on the side of the road for dead. Two pass by, but another, a Samaritan (see post "A Familiar Story") tends to him "Who was neighbor to the injured man?" asks Jesus. "The one who helped," is the lawyer's reluctant response. Jesus then suggests he go and do the same. Not just to help--but also to receive help.

For us, neighbor means the ones who live nearby. For Jesus, a neighbor is one in need--no matter who they are or where they are. That's tough sometimes. For Jesus, a neighbor is also one who helps us with compassion. That's also tough. Because we don't like to admit we need help--especially from those we don't especially "like."

Can you think of an example of someone receiving help from a "neighbor" that they, in better times, may not have even associated with?