In a Ditch

Psalm 38 • Psalm 119:25-48
Ecclus. 7:4-14 • Revelation 8:1-13 • Luke 10:25-31

The readings for the Daily Office always provide variety. The ones for today are no exception. The Psalms always have a bit of something to chew on. Ecclesiasticus has good advice for how to live faithfully today despite being written over 2000 years ago! Revelation – well, that is almost always a puzzle to me. And the Gospel! The parable of the Good Samaritan. Nothing new there surely. But, wait. What if I look at it from a different angle?

I don’t think anyone reading this has much of a doubt of who our neighbor is. We know this story all too well. But what is my response to it? I don’t expect to ever pull someone out of a ditch, put them up in the Hampton Inn, and pay all their medical expenses. What am I called to do?

Right now, we all are in a “ditch” of anxiety, fear, isolation, and maybe some depression. What could be my response? What about a note or a card mailed (yes, with a stamp) to someone. “Thinking about you.” One “advantage” of COVID, I’m not as hesitant to make a phone call to someone as I usually am. Just a simple, “How are you?” “I miss you.” And then listen. Even an email or a text message might help someone. I’m a smiler but with my mask on no one can tell that. But I can say, “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” to people in Harps or Target. Nothing big, but maybe a little something to help someone out of their “ditch."

Written by Jacqui Brandli

Finding solace sitting in her rocking chair on her back porch watching the wildlife come by.