Politically, things are a mess, spiritually our society is lacking. The news saturates us with mundane information, rarely effecting us personally, but emotionally charging us all the same. We pause to ask, who is our neighbor? Who should we care about? Where are the boundaries of responsibility?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church shows us who are neighbor is:
2212 The fourth commandment illuminates other relationships in society. In our brothers and sisters we see the children of our parents; in our cousins, the descendants of our ancestors; in our fellow citizens, the children of our country; in the baptized, the children of our mother the Church; in every human person, a son or daughter of the One who wants to be called "our Father." In this way our relationships with our neighbors are recognized as personal in character. The neighbor is not a "unit" in the human collective; he is "someone" who by his known origins deserves particular attention and respect.
Does this mean that the family in some far away state is my neighbor? I guess so. Should we care about them and their recent tragedy? Yes, we can pray for them and offer their pain up to God. Should we lose sleep over it? No. Should we send money, only if you have it to give. Is there a time when we should just keep it local? I think so. Our society is so wrapped up with media info, that I think we are losing sight of what is immediately around us.
Quiet time during the daily activities is a rarity for most, but in these crazy times in our country and world, it is most needed. God will help us know what to care about and what to leave to Him and others. God will help us find the peace that we need and with that patience follows. Everyone needs more peace within and patience towards self and others.
Do you take time for meditation and discussion with our Lord? I don't either, but I know the need is there and I am working on it.
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