Hari OM
Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.
This is a blog of philosophy and spiritual pursuit. Therefore the first part of the reference from Matthew can readily be taken, but the second part, concerning community, may hold greater worth.
The thing to be remembered about such writings is that they are written for daily use, not just weekly devotion. The stories and parables are provided to keep us focused on the art of living and steer us from falling into pits of poor behaviour and habits. It is sad that, for many, any reference to scriptural teachings holds some degree of fear, disgust, threat, or other such negative connotation. Institutional religion has often used the scriptures as a kind of weapon against the devoted. Judgementalism and criticism arise from this misuse. Many in modern generations have turned their backs upon the religions of their forefathers due to a sense of restriction and the idea that it infringes upon their 'freedom'.
Freedom, though, is not a license to do whatever one pleases. Freedom comes with a responsibility to behave in such a manner that does not infringe upon the liberty of our fellow beings. To ensure this, we do require to have discipline and discipline requires a set of measures.
From where to get those measures? They appear not from thin air. They arrive on the long trail of previous learning. Thus we must have role models, teachers, guides. Our own experience can be useful, but it can also mislead. If we have no direct beacon in parents or other pillars of society, then it is helpful to have a philosophy to hold onto. The laws of the land in which we live serve to protect and correct, but that one size fits all format does not necessarily provide the succour and support each individual in the society requires.
If we are lucky, there will be at least one, and hopefully many, of our 'neighbours' who will be there for us in good times and bad. What is more, if we, in turn, are a good neighbour, the reward is our sense of worth from giving that aid, whatever be its form. It is this need within the human psyche which resulted in the rise of Humanism as an alternative spiritual outlet. Even in atheism there is a need to feel greater than the sum of our small bodies. It is also useful to note that atheism is a philosophy of life. Atheism does not preclude the need for being a decent human being living to the highest standards which one can.
Whether we accept a deity or not, we cannot deny our part in community and the unity of human existence. Thus the second commandment of Master Yeshu holds good for us all.
