Love Your Neighbor

Today we're going to learn about what Jesus taught us about loving our neighbors! One day, a very smart man came to Jesus and asked, 'Teacher, what must I do to live forever with God?' Jesus asked him back, 'What does God's law say?' The man answered perfectly: 'Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.' Jesus smiled and said, 'You're absolutely right! Do this and you will live!' But then the man asked another question: 'But who exactly is my neighbor?' So Jesus told him a wonderful story. A man was walking down a dangerous road when robbers hurt him badly and took all his things. They left him on the side of the road, very hurt and alone. First, a priest walked by, but he crossed to the other side and kept walking. Then another religious man came, looked at the hurt man, but he also walked away. Can anyone tell me how you think the hurt man felt when people didn't help him? Finally, a Samaritan man came along. Now, Samaritans and Jewish people didn't usually like each other, but this kind man stopped! He cleaned the hurt man's wounds, put him on his donkey, and took him to an inn. He even paid for the man's care! Jesus asked, 'Which person was a good neighbor?' The smart man replied, 'The one who showed mercy and helped!' Jesus said, 'Now go and do the same!' In our Maronite tradition, we follow Jesus's teaching by caring for everyone, no matter who they are. Who can you be a good neighbor to this week? Remember, children: our neighbors aren't just the people who live next to us - they're everyone we meet who needs our love and help!