Sisters and Brothers,
This Sunday we'll hear the story of the Good Samaritan. It is a well-known story and even many who aren't Christian have heard about it. It speaks to our need to care for our neighbor. What is interesting is that a story that is so well known is one that is so often overlooked. Perhaps that is mainly because we just don't understand the racial tension that existed between Jews and Samaritans. If we did, we might be a bit more astounded at just how politically troubling Jesus parable was then, and should be for us today.
I was shocked to see a recent survey that revealed that an over-whelming number of white, evangelical Christians do not feel they have any responsibility to care for the immigrant. If they truly read their bibles like they claim, how can this be? Jesus raised up the importance of treating the "other" with dignity and respect time and time again. The parable of the Samaritan demonstrates what "love" for one's neighbor is all about.
The young man who approached Jesus asked a simple, yet profound question, "Who is my neighbor?" Perhaps we might consider asking that of ourselves. To whom am I willing to lend a helping hand? Where do my obligations end? Who might be needing my support, love and care?
Blessings!
Fr. Dewayne
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