Go And Do Likewise

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ Luke 10:25-37

We can think ourselves so busy and important that we do not see the needs around us. We can also be distracted, by phones, screens and all sorts of images, that we don't separate the real from the pixeled images. All around us, and every day, there are needs that are present and real, which we walk past. We are invited today to stop and do our part, which is simply to show mercy, to care for the stranger and to respond as we are able to the needs around us.

Precious Creator, source of all mercy

you give us light and beauty on earth

surrounding us with friends on the journey

yet we are loath to reach out the stranger.

We are distracted and fearful mostly

not wanted to get involved for the cost

yet you remind us that the blessings come

when we show mercy to all our neighbors.

Help us Lord to step out of our comfort zones

help us to live as neighbors one and all

let our hands and hearts always be merciful

so that your love flows through all our beings. Amen.