One of the most powerful things about the Good Samaritan story is that the traditionally reviled one is the hero. As believers, we are called to seek out the 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, because it makes us uncomfortable or because it is inconvenient?
But there is another invitation in this story. We are also called to keep our hands open – even when help comes from an unexpected quarter. We are in no position to turn up our noses at the people God chooses to use to bring relief in our lives and in our faith communities. We are called to emulate the example of these people, who act as conduits of God’s care.
This message is excerpted from “Unexpected Neighbors” by Cara Strickland in the March 2018 Gather magazine. Today is the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.
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