Who is my neighbor?

Our lessons in Luke continue this week with a well known parable – which we call “The Good Samaritan”.  But what precedes this lesson is a question and answer session between Jesus and a legal expert.  I was drawn early in the week to verse 29 (and I still am for that matter): But the legal expert wanted to prove that he was right, so he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  Jesus tells the parable – and then asks (v 36ff) – “What do you think? Which one of these three was a neighbor to the man who encountered thieves?” Then the legal expert said, “The one who demonstrated mercy toward him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Go and do likewise.  In the aftermath of three violent, gut-wrenching, & tragic days, we are called to go and show mercy – to go into the mission field and to tend to the wounds, caring for those hurt until they are healed.  To not pass by on the other side as did the priest and Levite. To confess, to give, to accompany – as the least likely of those three did to a stranger – to be merciful.

I’ve been praying and writing and posting a lot.  I cannot do this work on my own – because the body of Christ is us. I invite you to grieve, to cry, to confess, and to listen with me in the coming days.

Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself in your journey, know that you are most welcome here.

Blessings,
Pastor Tina