The greatest commandment,
or rather, the pair of them
as defined a couple of millennia ago
by the travelling teacher from the north;
would be lucky to make a top-ten list today.
God has gone out of fashion,
being invoked occasionally
for desperation cameo roles;
so there’s not much call for the first part.
A polite consensus keeps the second part alive,
however, with most people agreeing
that to love one’s neighbour is important,
but should be practised within limits.
What we need is a drive to reinvigorate
the loving of our neighbour.
Perhaps we could rewrite it:
in a way that would make it be more acceptable:
“Love your neighbour when it proves convenient.”
“Love your neighbour in principle,”
“Love your neighbour occasionally;
once a month or so.”
“Love your neighbour
when she/he is deserving of your munificence.”
“Love your neighbour when you’ve finished
with the more important things.”
Yes, any of these could work
and help us all to avoid unseemly extremes.
© Ken Rookes 2011
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