The Good Samaritan
Luke’s gospel tells us who we are. Down in the ditch, bruised and broken. Troubles brought us low and we could no longer stand. The road seemed far away. We had to call for help and no one seemed to hear. Time is short and work envelopes us. We lower our heads and focus on the road ahead. Busy people surge along like clouds of gnats. Someone drops into the ditch and we try not to notice. If you don’t look for trouble, maybe it won’t find you. People get what they deserve. We have been there. That time we left the road and in the presence of the bruised and forgotten we found ourselves. When we touched your body, our hearts opened. Back on the road, we walk more slowly and try to hear. The world opens up around us. Like the scholar’s, our questions sometimes block the world. Hey, I know the facts. I grasp complex situations. Under cover of words, I justify myself and try not to see. The Samaritan is at home on the road and in the ditch. He does not fear trouble. He has been there himself. He’s ready to act and his life makes sense. I like to think that he’s the one who can sing. |