A word for such a time as this from the parable of “The Good Samaritan: As we remember those who did not “pass by on the other side” after 9/11, Firefighters, Canadians, Doctors, and just simple, normal, non-titled folks like you and me — and as we remember the many people today of various beliefs and cultures, whether from “Israel”, “Samaria”(Sobering Fact: Samaria is today’s Palestinian West Bank, so the “Good Samaritan” should be read “The Good Hamas Leader”– Jesus loved a good shock tactic, folks), or the USA who do not “pass by on the other side” when they see injustice — people who will not pass by on the other side but will risk all to help a stranger, an immigrant, an abused woman, a child at risk, a victim of racism or prejudice — as we remember all those, who like Jesus, and like Martin Luther King, Jr., who have inspired us to think differently about who our neighbor is — we are called to this time and this place — on our own “Road to Jericho”, that dangerous, winding road. Will we “pass by”, — like those whose motivation we do not know, the two who kept going on their way, the majority of 2 out of 3 in Jesus’ story, who were afraid to stop and help or just too immersed in their own busy-ness to think it was up to them to make a difference — a life-saving difference — in a stanger’s life? Or will we instead, be the One, the one who sees everyone as Jesus’ neighbor from Jesus’ worldview where no one — no one — is an enemy — but all are to be the recipient of our love — just as all are the recipient of Divine — God’s — the Father — The Creator’s Love. How will we walk this dangerous road today? Will we pass by or will we be today’s “Good Samaritan”?
These thoughts were inspired by the last sermon Dr. and Preacher Martin Luther King, Jr. preached before he was assassinated.
Link to Martin Luther King’s Sermon:
Jane Tawel 