It sounds so easy, so simple up against the myriad unresolved problems in 2017.
The solution was offered recently by Sam Skillern, executive director of the Salem Leadership Foundation, which links congregations and members to community needs.
He has attended many meetings in recent years on issues, hearing the often-repeated question of “What’s the root cause?” The answers include the familiar list of poverty, child abuse, crime, drugs, lack of education or inadequate health care and others.
Skillern insists those are all important, heart-rending items but are just symptoms.
“I contend the root cause is this: People don’t really know each other anymore, which means we don’t care about each other or care for each other. To use scriptural language, we don’t ‘love our neighbors as ourselves.’ ”
The caring for others is too often left to the faceless entities of government, schools and nonprofit groups.
“We have cocooned ourselves from our neighbors in need. Too often, even our own family members.”
The wonders of technology and medical advances have allowed us to virtually ignore pain as well as compassion.
He sees hopeful signs in the community of people compelled by crises and inspired by their faith to reach out and build relationships.
“The real answer to the root-cause question isn’t ‘stuff.’ It’s relationship. It’s me. And you. Helping our neighbor. As an act of ongoing relationship, not occasional charity.”
It can be as simple as picking up mail and feeding pets of vacationers or as involved as being a foster parent or a mentor to an ex-offender.
Helping others in these and other ways might be a sacrifice.
“It can take us away from our leisure and our personal pleasure. But it’s one of the best investments of time and relationship we could ever make,” Skillern concluded.
Hank Arends is a retired religion/community events writer for the Statesman Journal who writes a weekly column on religion. He may be reached at hankarends@msn.com or 503-930-9653.