Sunday, July 14 – Luke 10: 25-37
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
Loving Neighbor
Betty Johnson and Jamie Jones embrace after helping.
Why would a Hebrew lawyer need to ask the question, “Who is my neighbor?” He obviously knows the law. The “neighbor” is a member of the Jewish community, and “You love your neighbor as you love yourself.” That is the way a community is supposed to behave.
But what about those who are not part of the community, especially Samaritans? Some believe this group of Jewish cousins blended too closely with Islam. In some cases, Jews returning from exile discovered that the Samaritans had taken over the land, kind of a squatter’s right, and that created a barrier.
The parable is an indirect way of finding a new truth. We have a demonstration of a new form of neighborliness—how one treats one’s enemy, stranger, or friend in need. Usually we pick on the Priest and the Levite, but they were simply following the Jewish law. The priest knows that should he touch a dead man he might set the coming of the kingdom back. And our Levite lawyer knows that one is not required to neighbor outside the community. And underneath it all there is the common belief that there are no “good” Samaritans. Never mind that Jesus keeps finding some.
That day Jesus turns the old law on its head by having a despised Samaritan go beyond the law to extend mercy. Indeed there is a higher law than courts and lawyers and religious organizations require. In a word, the neighbor’s need. I think neighborliness is a work that we each can participate in. This requires looking past the rule and focusing on the need.
It is good to see the story “To Kill a Mockingbird” making a comeback. We know how it will end; we know the lawyer will gain nothing but hate from his neighbors. He goes against his culture, his community, because he knows what it means to do the right thing. One goes away from an art form like that believing that even in these times when government seems helpless to act—someone will step up to say “Enough!”-- and call a nation back to responsibility again.
Perhaps it is happening already as our nation hangs its head in shame to see children and parents on the borders suffering in sweltering heat without bread or drink. Who indeed is my neighbor? And who am I? One of the people who show mercy? We know the right answer; ours is to act.
Prayer
Dear God, we long for a return to the values from which we’ve strayed. Help us to find our neighbors in need, and to stand in solidarity with all who would protect the children and parents who seek a new life among us. May the generosity we show others reflect the generosity of your love for all. Amen.
The Rev. Bill Cotton of Des Moines is a retired clergy member of the Iowa Annual Conference. He and his colleagues and friends produce the weekly Memo for Those Who Preach, which is distributed by email. Subscribe to MEMO.