How are you showing love to your neighbors? Your responses - The Dallas Morning News

People of faith often point to the mantra: Love your neighbor. This February, we asked readers: How are you expressing love for your neighbor during the pandemic? The following are a few of the many thoughtful responses.

This column is part of our ongoing opinion commentary on faith, called Living Our Faith. Get weekly roundups of the project in your email inbox by signing up for the Living Our Faith newsletter.

Use online resources

When the touch, the conversation, the communal meal have all become suspect, even dangerous, I just let internet resources become my voice, my embrace, my raising a glass of cheer.

Often, I’ll send an image to a friend or acquaintance, just to say “Hi” and check on them. For others, a musical clip reminds them, through gorgeous sounds, what our communion can be.

And, for the larger community, I put together, as at Christmas, a YouTube video of sacred images with my own personal comments. I called it an Apocalyptic Nativity in the best sense of the Greek word apocalypsis: Revealing the Love of God and self for others.

Father Gregory M. Schweers, O. Cist., Irving

Check on elderly neighbors

A nearby elderly Greek migrant woman here in Melbourne, Australia, often brings sweet treats around. In return, I take her trash cans out to be picked up by the truck, and after I bring them in. I also do a bit of shopping for her, as she doesn’t have a car, and it’s a mile walk to the shops.

We’re living in summer heat, needing to wear a stifling face mask under government rules, in a lockdown that allows no gatherings outside or in homes, and no weddings, sports, restaurants, hotels, hairdressers, beauticians, or non-essential shops to be open, only 10 allowed at a funeral, and no travel beyond four miles from our home unless you’re an essential worker.

Under these circumstances, I often drop ‘round to check that my elderly neighbor is OK. I think we’ll be relieved when most of us are vaccinated and can resume some normalcy in life.

Rod Matthews, Melbourne, Australia

A simple wave

It’s not difficult, it doesn’t take a lot of time or energy and for me, it’s not a question of religion or personal beliefs, it’s making connections.

When I’m out in the neighborhood walking or just outside in the yard or alley, and someone walks or drives by, I wave. That’s it.

Oh, if I don’t have a mask on while I’m walking (following social distancing practices at all times) I smile and say hello. It’s easy and even nicer to get a wave or smile-and-hello back these days.

Perri Brackett, Lewisville

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https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2021/02/28/how-are-you-showing-love-to-your-neighbors-your-responses/

2021-02-28 07:29:55Z

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