The Good Samaritan: A Call to Mercy and Faithful Love
You know, today we live in a world that is very much defined by busyness, overwhelming needs, and distractions. In amongst all of this we are challenged with the question of how we might discern where our true responsibilities should lie? This means that we might very well find ourselves grappling with our own concerns and needs that we become less mindful of the struggles that we see around us. This week we are blessed to have our Session Clerk Karen Mitchell share a reflection that invites us to explore some profound questions that might challenge our place in the world and how we might live a life of meaning that blesses our neighbours.
Karen’s message is drawing on Psalm 52 and Luke 10:25-37, the Lukan passage, is a well known parable and we encounter a challenge for those that might boast in their own strength or trust in the wealth that they might have and this can be deceptive comfort. But this reflection might help us to think about something that we might take comfort in that is enduring, that is full of peace, that truly nourishes and truly sustains us.
When we look at this parable that we all know so well, the parable of the Good Samaritan, Karen challenges us to confront a crucial question that is posed to each one of us: “Who is my neighbour?” This is a deeply personal challenge for all of us today. The parable reveals a powerful truth about mercy, kindness, and faithful love in action and challenges us to do likewise.
Let this be an invitation for each one of us to examine what it is that grounds us, hopefully that we are not grounded in self-righteousness or anything that is fleeting but rather that we are grounded in "the deep well of God's mercy, kindness, and faithful love." If you have time this morning, take some time to dwell and meditate on our passages and who we might most take after in this parable, the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan, keeping in mind that we reflect all three of these characters in our life journey. Who do think our Lord encourages us to take after?
God bless you all.
Josh
