Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross in Green Bay, WI
Reflection for July 13, 2025

Reflection for July 13, 2025

Whom do I allow to “neighbor” me?  

Sometimes the greatest act of humility is not offering help — but receiving it.

by Sister Sally Ann Brickner

Sunday's Scripture passages have given me new insights about myself and neighborliness. In the first reading from the book of Deuteronomy Moses is giving his farewell address to those who journeyed with him for 40 years through the Sinai Desert to the Promised Land. “God’s guidance is very near; it is on their lips and in their hearts,” he tells them. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the scholar of the law not ‘who his neighbor is’ but ‘how to be a neighbor.’

For over two months I have been hobbled by broken bones in my feet. The healing process seems to take forever! As I review what has transpired since my fall on April 16, I feel ashamed to admit that I refused to relinquish my independence. Many Sisters and staff sought to be neighborly, but I was extremely reluctant to allow them to help me. “Pride goes before a fall” (Proverbs 16: 18) but, in my case, it also followed it. Only under duress did I accept help for getting to appointments, pushing my wheelchair, carrying a tray of food, or cleaning my room.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is about seeing AND being seen, about neighboring AND being neighbored. And I, so unwilling to be ‘neighbored’ these last several months by the helpful individuals around me, must ask myself whether I also refuse to be dependent on God who alone accomplishes whatever good is in or done through me. Do I allow God to ‘neighbor' me?

In Psalm 69: 14-15, King David turns to God who is his only hope in time of need:

"But as for me, this is my prayer to you, at the time you have set, O God. In your great mercy, O God, answer me with your unfailing help … "

Teach me how to be a compassionate neighbor and how to accept graciously the neighborliness of others.

    

10 Comments

David Pleier
07/11/2025 6:32 am

What a graced insight! The traveler had to accept the help... and from the most unlikely source. How often have I refused help from The Source?

Keith
07/11/2025 8:04 am

Thank you for sharing Sister Sally. I have learned, as all are willing to help, one must graciously accept help with a yes and a Thank you :)

Ellen
07/11/2025 8:17 am

Thank you, Sr. Sally Ann, for sharing your struggle. It is such a balance to be fiercely independent and yet interdependent at the same time, to carry both love and loss together. Many blessings.

Dcn. Tom
07/11/2025 9:23 am

Having recently recovered from foot surgery several weeks ago, I felt like I was reading my own story. How difficult it is at times to accept other people's neighborliness. Thanks for the wonderful insight and reminder of the importance of humility in our lives.

Mary peters
07/11/2025 10:18 am

Very good personal reflection! So insightful. Thank you for sharing.

Linda
07/11/2025 1:12 pm

Your reflection, Sally Ann, reminds me how much our culture values and insists that we are / become self-sufficient, self-reliant, self-accomplished. In so many ways, the extremism of this goal, so much marketed as an "ultimate good," weakens our sensitivity, empathy, and compassionate connectedness toward others - and even to ourselves, and our planet.

I have come to so much value the insights and teachings of Buddhist peace-maker and activist, Thich Nhat Hahn, whose teachings and way-of-life incorporates the interdependence and the connectedness of all peoples, all creation, all things. This is Wisdom: the Wisdom of Scripture, the Wisdom of Jesus, and even the Wisdom Francis of Assisi came to experience, understand, live, and praise God for.

You can find many pearls of Wisdoms in the sayings of Thich Nhat Hahn by googling on-line. Here are two for your heart-felt consideration:

"Compassion is a verb." (So fitting for Sunday's gospel)

"Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet." ( So needed in these times of environmental violence and Earth desecration)

Diann Wimmer
07/11/2025 6:54 pm

Thank you, Sally Ann, for sharing this "true to life" experience these past weeks. We who have been so independent struggle with "how to accept graciously the neighborliness of others". Surely it leads us to the great lesson of humility and gracefulness .

Debbie Tahany
07/11/2025 7:35 pm

I too, took a major fall this winter walking the dog when we both hit an icy section without warning. Fortunately for me, following PT and lots of time, I am on the mend. May your body too find that healing strength. Amazing how God teaches lessons we need, especially those we'd never choose for ourselves. Healing thoughts.

Dianne Zirbel
07/12/2025 7:59 pm

Your strength is admirable. I fell down some steps several weeks ago and wrenched my shoulder. Stepping back and letting others help out is hard guess "pride" (one of the deadly sins) gets in my way too. And trying to offer it up for the poor souls in purgatory is a good thing but found myself as a baby and whining to the Lord on many occasions. I'm still a work in progress.

SR ROSE JOCHMANN
07/14/2025 10:51 am

Very good point! Receiving help takes a lot more humility.

Thank you for sharing your responses and feelings around your fall and healing of your broken bones. You are giving us a great example of humility!

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