Love Thy Neighbor

Several recent news articles have reported that people’s views around COVID-19 risks, mitigation measures and the government’s response seem to fall largely along party lines. This isn’t necessarily surprising, but it is concerning in the face of a pandemic that is blind to political affiliation. 

Over the last 12 years, we have seen a growing divide along political fault lines fueled by the 24-hour news cycle and social media grandstanding. Those fault lines widened dramatically over the last four years as more and more friends, families and strangers started jumping into the political boxing rings of social media during a polarizing election. These private and public matches left permanent scars as our political positions became more important than the person behind whatever “post” we were challenging. People started prioritizing politics over relationships.  There became an increasing perception that our country was irreparably divided.  

But in the heart of this crisis, actions bely what these articles and social media would have us believing about America and each other.  Neighbors are helping neighbors. Grocery store clerks, stock boys, cashiers, drivers, shippers and mailmen put their own safety aside and continue to show up every day to ensure that our supply chain holds. Nurses, doctors and medical assistants keep reporting, in some cases “unarmed,” to the trenches to care for the weakest among us. Communities are coming together to feed children. In the face of empty shelves, good Samaritans are sharing supplies with those unable to stock up themselves. Large and small businesses are stepping up to the call with donations of masks, gloves and other equipment they realize can be repurposed for a better good. Patrons are continuing to support their local restaurants by ordering in. These people belong to every political party, and they are working together for a common good. 

Last night brought word that social distancing measures will remain in place at least through April 30. For some, that news brought a sense of relief to worries that these safety measures might be lifted too early. For others, this news is the last thing they want to hear. The need to continue to isolate in the face of a real and present public health threat clashes with the need to get people back to work in the face of growing economic impacts that pose a danger of a different kind. The pressures from these two opposing forces will slowly start pushing us towards opposite corners of our rings again. But what if instead of taking up positions this time, we choose differently. What if we choose another way? What if we choose God’s way?

Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:31)

This time let us decide to step away from the ring and step toward each other. Let us leave party politics to the politicians. Let us choose respect instead of judgment. Let us call out leaders in our own parties, not just criticize leaders in the opposite party.  Let us praise our leaders when they get it right regardless of party. Let us always treat each other with humanity whether in person or over a posting, text or email. Let us choose to remember there are two sides to every story. Let us always remember that the number one party we belong to is the human party. Let us love our neighbors.