Thought for the week

ONE of the most haunting of the parables of Jesus is the story of the Good Samaritan, told only in the Gospel of Luke, written by a Greek ‘outsider’.

A man travelling the steep desert road from Jerusalem to Jericho is violently attacked by robbers, and left for dead.

Other parties of travellers on this notorious road see him and pass by.

The first is that of a priest, a wealthy man with enough servants to stave off fear of a second attack.

The second is a Levite, another wealthy servant of the Temple, a public follower of the scriptures.

The third is an outsider, a Samaritan, considered a religious renegade.

He is motivated not only by the duty proclaimed in the scriptures, but also by compassion.

He tends the wounded man, and sets him on his own mount, not on a pack-donkey, nor a servant’s mount. He takes him to an inn and feels the responsibility to see this situation through, for he pays for the man’s keep until he returns.

The story is told in the context of: ‘What is the greatest commandment?’, to which Jesus replies: ‘Love God, and love your neighbour as yourself’.

The parable shows that our neighbours include strangers, and those who are different in race, culture or belief.

At Barcelona last week there may have been people who put themselves first, but there were also acts of self-disregarding heroism and kindness, known to God if not to us.

The United States has seen upheavals based on fear of those of a different skin-colour, class or faith; and has also shown the courage of those who oppose such divisions.

One of the mysteries of the Christian faith is how it helps people to love God so much that they can put themselves second, loving neighbour and stranger, and taking risks for them.

The parable shows that the nature of love includes self-sacrifice, giving not only out of our plenty but out of a cost to our comfort.

This week there will be some call to each of us to give, whether to support the international bodies supporting the victims of famine or mudslides in Africa; or by giving our time to support a local charity; or by speaking to a lonely neighbour; or by including in our social events the people we don’t like.