One of the most powerful things about the Good Samaritan story in Luke is that the traditionally reviled one is the hero. The person who doesn’t belong becomes the example, the teacher.
As believers, we are called to be salt and light to the world. We are called to seek out all people on the sides of the road who are wounded and alone—regardless of their affiliations, skin color or the name of the God they pray to. How often are we the ones who choose to walk by hurting people? How often do we choose to walk by those who are hurting because it makes us uncomfortable, because it is inconvenient?
This message is an excerpt of “Unexpected neighbors” by Cara Strickland in the March 2018 issue of Gather magazine. Today is the Vigil of Pentecost. The readings are Exodus 19:1-9; Acts 2:1-11 (alternate); Psalm 33:12-22; Psalm 130 (alternate); Romans 8:14-17, 22-27; John 7:37-39.
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