Lent: Journey According To Lukeနမူနာ

FAITH IN THE KITCHEN

DEVOTION
The Good Samaritan is a famous parable. When the lawyer asked Jesus the question about eternal life, he was asking what Jesus saw as the essential requirements of the Law. I can just see Jesus smiling as he throws the question back in the lawyer’s lap, ‘What is written in the Law?’ Jesus restrains from giving an answer and rather asks him, this learned man, what do you think the law says? The lawyer gives the orthodox response, he learned it well, concluding with the words: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Like many of us, the Lawyer, knew the right answer. However he was totally unprepared for Jesus’ story about what compassion looks like in real life. Jesus defines neighbor with a powerful story. One that identifies compassion is based on need not worth. A compassion, which feels, does, costs something and demonstrates our relationship with God. The question for the lawyer, and for us, is posed; who was the man’s neighbor? The lawyer cannot bring himself to say the word ‘Samaritan’ and so he responds, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ The question leads to an instruction for him, and for us, ‘Go and do likewise.’

FOR REFLECTION
What kind of neighbor are you?
Who do you need to reach out to, and how can you show them true compassion?

PRAYER
God of compassion, may we feel your heart for those in need, may we feel your pain for those abused, may we have the courage to reach out to all who are in need. In the name of Jesus. Amen.