Seeking to be clever and trip Jesus, the lawyer asked him, “Teacher which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love you neighbor as yourself.'” Matt. 22:36-39

Another time Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?” In reply, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan who stopped to help an injured man on the side of the road, administering to him and taking him to a nearby inn and paying for his lodging while he recuperated. Prior to the Samaritan stopping two others had crossed over to the opposite side of the road, not wanting to become involved.

Presented with opportunities to become involved and administer to another who is in pain, sometimes I have stopped, listened and provided comfort and more. Other times I have behaved more like the two who chose not to provide comfort and sustain life.

My country, which I love, is at a critical juncture. If ever there was a time to become involved, commit to a dialog, listen and be open to change as part of the process of loving our neighbors as ourselves, it is now. And while this is a Christian precept, The Golden Rule, treat others as you want to be treated, is part of most faith traditions.

All of us…not just a few must be a part of the solution. Each death, takes aim at the heart of our national soul.