Please won’t you be my neighbor?

In Mark’s Gospel Jesus declares that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as our self. The words may be familiar to us, but in each call to love lies a profound challenge — a call to extend compassion, to go beyond ourselves, and to reach out to those in need, wherever they may be.

As I reflected on the Gospel reading for this week, I was reminded of an unlikely theologian who understood deeply what it meant to love our neighbors — Fred Rogers. Mister Rogers, with his gentle wisdom, reminded generations of children and adults that everyone around us is our neighbor. For Mister Rogers, loving one’s neighbor was not just a principle; it was a way of life that meant offering kindness and help to all.

This message of love, kindness, and neighborly compassion became profoundly real for me during my recent visit to Ukraine. Walking among the people, witnessing the devastation and resilience brought on by the ongoing war, I saw firsthand the pressing need for compassionate neighbors. In places like Bucha, I encountered people bearing unimaginable burdens: families displaced, homes destroyed, and communities ravaged. And yet, they carry on. The people I met embodied a resilience I could not have imagined, facing each day with courage and faith despite their suffering.

In Ukraine, I saw families who had been torn apart by violence, and children who now live as orphans. I saw priests who have stayed with their communities through bombings and destruction, offering them comfort and hope. I was reminded of the Ulma family of Poland, who were canonized last year as martyrs for their decision to shelter eight Jewish neighbors during World War ii , despite the grave danger of doing so. The Ulmas made the ultimate sacrifice, showing us the depth of what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves. Their love transcended fear, becoming a witness of the Gospel call to love.

The Ukrainian people today exhibit the same courageous spirit. Like the Ulmas, they too have witnessed atrocities; many of them bear the scars of violence yet still reach out in compassion and solidarity to one another. There are countless local and international organizations that are a testament to this same compassion — they remind us that to love our neighbor means not only providing immediate help but also accompaniment, listening, and not forgetting.

Loving our neighbor requires that we act in the present moment. Whether through providing coats to children, building modular housing units for the displaced, or providing healthcare, we are called to meet immediate needs and offer gestures of hope. But we are also called to remember, to keep these neighbors in our prayers and in our hearts, and to work continually toward a world where peace and justice are real for everyone.

The people I met in Ukraine may live thousands of miles away, yet they are truly our neighbors. They are our brothers and sisters, enduring a harsh reality yet remaining steadfast. Reflecting on Jesus’ command to love, I realize that love calls us to expand our understanding of “neighbor” to include all those who suffer and are in need. In loving these neighbors, as ourselves, we grow closer to the heart of Christ.

*  Executive Director
Maryland Catholic Conference

By Jenny Kraska*