The crowd had come out to watch the highly publicized debate, just as some would go to the Wimbledon finals or the US Woman’s World Cup or the Celebrity Golf Tournament in South Lake Tahoe. The debate was between a young teacher and a seasoned lawyer. It was marketed as “The Battle of the Wits of the Century.”
It was one of those hot, humid, sunny July days, so the people sought out the cool shade of the building. The bright sun highlighted the experienced lawyer’s expensive robes, as he confidently crossed the open Roman Gladiator arena. Reaching the shade, this skilled and self-assured lawyer’s eyes narrowed as he diligently searched and eventually found the young teacher who was sitting among the people.
The lawyer raised his hands to quiet the crowd and began his interrogation, “Teacher, what are we supposed to do to gain eternal life?”
The young teacher, who they called Jesus, very cleverly responded using the Socratic method of answering the lawyer’s question with another question: “What is written in the law?”
The intelligent lawyer quickly responded, showing his expertise and knowledge of the Old Testament laws. He unrolled the scroll first to Deuteronomy, “You shall love your God with all your heart, soul and mind.” He then continued to unroll the scroll to the writings of Leviticus, “And you should love your neighbor as yourself.”
Then Jesus clapped his hands and “high-fived” the lawyer. The crowd cheered on the good nature of the competition. When the crowd settled down, Jesus humbly suggested to all of them, “Each one of us is to love our God with all of our heart, soul and mind and love our neighbor as ourselves.”
The crowds loved that because no other teacher had ever put these two commands together. Then Jesus added another insight: “Go do the same, and this is the way you will have eternal life.” Again, the crowd spontaneously expressed their joyful appreciation.
Now the lawyer was beginning to become uncomfortable thinking that the teacher was winning the approval of the people. So, with a sense of arrogance the lawyer demanded clarification. Clearing his voice he asked, “I have reason to believe that ‘neighbor’ is a technical term! Who is my neighbor?”
The young teacher quickly responded, “Everyone, especially those in need. Let me illustrate my definition of a neighbor with a story.”
“Picture this,” Jesus began, “a lonely, forsaken and desolate mountainous highway, with sharp curves, dangerous switchbacks and cliff hanging edges. A driver stops at a designated lookout point to view a lake and is attacked by some low-life gang members. They beat him, stole his credit cards, iPad and iPhone and left him half-dead.
A Catholic priest is driving down the mountain road and sees the man lying on the side of the highway but goes on without stopping as he has a tee time at the golf course and is running late.
A Mormon bishop also drives down the same highway and sees the same dying man, but continues, as he needs to get home to be with his family.
Then the owner of an upscale Italian restaurant comes by and sees the dying person on the side of the road. She is moved with compassion, pulls over and gets out of her car to help him. And Jesus adds a significant detail, saying, “This man who was beaten is a Muslim.” The crowd burst into groans of disbelief and shock.
The young teacher then told how the woman took off her designer jacket and used it to stop the bleeding and then helped the victim, who was covered in blood, get up and get into her new Mercedes. She drove to the Village Community Hospital and paid for his treatment.
Then Jesus asked, “Which of these three persons, in your opinion, was the neighbor?”
The lawyer was silent, but a young teenager stood up and convincingly answered Jesus. “The woman who treated him with compassion. She took the time from her busy schedule to stop and help him. She used her own clothing to stop the bleeding. And she shared her own treasures to cover the hospital expenses. She was the neighbor.”
And Jesus told the lawyer again, “Then go, use your time, talent and treasure and do the same.”
The story of the Good Samaritan is a love story about discipleship, stewardship and using our time, talents and treasure to help anyone in need.
The scripture is unclear about what motivated the Samaritan to help the stranger. Why do you think the Samaritan did this?
We know it was the right thing to do, to help someone in need. It was an opportunity, not an obligation. He had an attitude of gratitude realizing how fortunate he was. He did what he did because he was in the right place at the right time. You do what you can when you can. He may have had a conversion or renovation of heart. It is the way he lived out his faith.
This weekend, we wish to honor and thank the intentional disciples of our parish who donate their time, talents and treasures by being actively involved in at least one ministry.
It is difficult to adequately express in words how each of you is valued and appreciated for sharing your unique gifts and talents for the service of God and others to make our village a better place.
Regardless of how busy you are or whether you have struggles in your personal life, your input, suggestions and creative ideas are listened to and implemented when possible.
Every parishioner has something to offer, something they can do for the sake of this parish and that is why we expect every parishioner to serve the parish by being involved in at least one ministry.
We wish this parish to be a community of believers and not simply a collection of individuals who gather for one hour of worship. You are an integral part of our parish life.
We have been ministering together these past years to renovate our hearts so we can make our parish a stronger community where every parishioner is making a concerted effort to do God’s work taking our parish to the next level.
Thank you for your honesty, creativity, enthusiasm, encouragement and generosity.
Dear Lord, we give thanks for all our parish disciples who willingly and unselfishly offer their gifts and talents to help strengthen our faith community. May the Holy Spirit continue to pour love and blessings into their hearts.
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