The commandments that Jesus quoted (to love God and to love you neighbor) were part of the Old Testament.
In Old Testament times (and in the time of Jesus), belonging to a group meant everything. People didn't have the networks that we're used to today (a national government, police force) or the support (healthy insurance, welfare) that we depend on today. You belonged to a tribe or a particular town and it meant everything. These people were your extended family. They were the ones who looked after you ... and the ones you looked after.
That's what the word "love" meant most of all: Accepting your connection to a certain, wider group of people. To love was to recognize and maintain the ties that bound you together, and say, "I will help you, care about you, protect you." That's what Jesus mean when he said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
It puts "love of neighbor" within reach. You can't conjure up affection for everyone in the world.
But what you can do is recognize and accept the connection you have with them.
And it's within reach. You can do it today.
- Little Burgundy Book, Diocese of Saginaw