Loving Your Neighbors: The Gospel According to Mr. Rogers

Too many times I have sat down to write my thoughts and prayers after a terrifying and horrible event. Too many times have I had to walk away because I was so overcome with emotion to continue. So overcome with grief. Confusion. Disbelief.

I remember Columbine. I know exactly where I was on 9/11. Or when I heard about Virginia Tech, Auroa, Newtown, and Boston. And yet these events still occur. It seems no amount of asking why can cease the heartbreak from surfacing.

Continually my thoughts circle back to one simply question. “WHY?” And of course they branch from here, asking the reasoning behind why the tragedy occurred. Why the act of terrorism was nessecary. Why the individual chose to take innocent lives. Why didn’t we see there was something there that would lead to this? But more than these things, I often ponder why did we not set a better example?

We continually plaster the names of the guilty across the media, showering them with attention – albeit negative mostly – and proclaiming that a new law or a new guideline will prevent this from happening again. Sometimes showing images of those who were injured, those who responded with aide, and those whose lives were lost. But tell me, can you name more individuals we have lost to tragedy than those who committed the crimes? Tell me, do we know more about the crime or how people have come together to respond? We blame guns, we blame religion, but we never look at what we as people could have done differently…

The past few weeks our pastor has been doing a series entitled “The Gospel According to Mr. Rogers“. Showcasing the man who spent his life teaching children that they were loved, and that they were special. Showering the love of God upon them through a TV screen, never having to mention His name as the light of Christ shone so brightly trough every word he spoke. A series meant for families and children, but one that has meant more to me during this season of hurt and loss in our world than I could have imagined. Speaking to the uniqueness that we each possess. The fact that we should know that we have made today special, just by our being us. That we are special. And that we should love our neighbors like Mr. Rogers did. Like Christ did.  How can anyone who feels this loved do such horrible acts? I beg to understand how people can feel so unloved that violence seems the only cry for acceptance or importance in life. But then I remember that while our Father loves us, without question, without agenda, and without ceasing; daily we fail to meet this mark. 

We judge. We shun. We belittle. We see the evil and fail to search for the good. We fail to remember that everyone has a story. That despite differences, we can come together. Despite arguments, snide remarks, and things we don’t understand, we can overcome if we join together. That we are all neighbors, available to teach one another how to grow. How to live. And how to love.

In light of all of these events, and especially in the last few weeks, we have seen a resurgence of this quote by Mr. Rogers as a guide to comfort in such situations. Such important words to focus on the good that does exists amid such tragedy.

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More than this quote, I believe we should also focus on the truth that we can, and should, love our neighbors better. We should lend a hand to those in need. Speak with those who are different. And invite those around us to rejoice in what is right. Praising good and bringing glory to His name. Shining His light for the world to see.

“Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people.” -Fred Rogers

Every single one of us is broken. Any yet we are still accepted by the Lord. Still desired, and still loved. We all need love. And we are all called to love our neighbors. What would happen if we really did that? If we really did what Christ commands and “love our neighbor as ourself”?  How much more of a difference could we make as a nation, and as a people in achieving peace? What would it look like if we lived the gospel according to Mr. Rogers?