Writings: Who are YOU in the story?

I have always thought that the story of the Good Samaritan  is cool, in that it suggests it’s a good idea for us to help one another when someone is seriously down & out.

The amazing thing in it, of course, is that the teachers of truth & compassion (the priest & Levite) pass up the chance to help, while the guy you least expect to help steps up.

There are so many angles to the story, hey – is it about the way we label people (and ourselves) and hope that does the job, in deciding who should be helping? How many times have you heard someone (or me) say, “Well, THEY should help.” Maybe, just maybe, we are THEY.

Or are we the busy folk who blow on by? How busy are you now, really?

Maybe we think we’re being prudent when we tell our kids not to get too close to someone on the street….

Maybe can we pop the story ahead a couple of thousand years & discover that we haven’t changed much in all that time. Maybe we have a ballgame to get to, and we can’t help. Maybe we don’t have enough money to share, with someone who has none. Maybe the way we close our eyes to the situation is to watch TV all night. Out of sight, out of mind.

Or…maybe we think up folks who we know need a hand, turn off the TV, and get in motion.

You know who they are, and you know who you are. Time to share & heal. (You knew I was going to say that.)

Barrel on through – they’re waiting for you!

Love you,

Brother Ian