Go and Do Likewise

Psalm 37:1-18 • Psalm 37:19-42
Ecclus. 10:1-18 • Rev. 9:1-12 • Luke 10:25-37

The reading for today from Luke’s gospel is The Parable of the Good Samaritan and it seemed at first glance to be the “easy” pick for a morning reflection.  It is a story that almost everyone has heard - even non-church goers - and if you are familiar with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, you may fondly remember those golden parable boxes and the wooden figures used to present this story to attentive young children.

I realized that, as a somewhat cynical adult, my focus had been on the hypocrisy of the priest and the Levite - those religious men who one would assume to be “the helpers” but who literally go out of their way to avoid rendering aid to the injured traveler. It seemed that Jesus’ calling out their lack of compassion in contrast to that of the Samaritan was the primary message of this parable – in answer to the lawyer’s question, “And who is my neighbor?”

In light of recent events, I am reading this parable with new eyes and focusing my attention on the actions of the Samaritan. I now understand the importance of his “otherness” – being a member of a cultural group that was considered “outside” the Judaic tradition as represented by the Levite and the priest. This story is as much about the Samaritan’s empathy for “the other” as it is a commentary of the actions (or lack thereof) of the two religious men. The Samaritan’s willingness to get involved goes beyond simply rendering the “first aid” that any one of us might be willing to do for a bicyclist who takes a fall in front of us on the trail.  But would we offer to take them in our car to the hospital? Maybe. Would we then pay for their medical treatment there? Unlikely!

“To love thy neighbor” is a precept of Christianity, but how often do we have an opportunity to truly be a Good Samaritan?  And if/when we do – how far are we willing to go with our empathy, our compassion, our generosity?  Especially when that “neighbor” may live in a different neighborhood, may not look like us, or even speak our language.

Written by Shannon Dillard Mitchell

…who is grateful for all the outreach ministries of St. Paul’s that continue to serve our neighbors.