“Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
~ Luke 10:25-37
The neighbor is the one who crosses the street to show love and mercy to others.
Some weeks back a friend asked for my advice on what to do with a person she met online who asking asking for her help. It turns out this person in need is a convict who was serving time in prison. My first impulse was to tell my friend to run, not to cross street to help this convict.
That was a typical and an expected reaction from me. I would often not cross the street to avoid having to help or to give assistance. Or, sometimes I would cross the streets to avoid facing up to a problem or an obstacle coming down the road. Sometimes, I would send good wishes or monetary help or prayers just so I do not have to inconvenience myself by crossing the street. The most difficult part of being a neighbor is crossing that street.
“Lord. teach me to generous. Give me courage to cross the street when someone needs my help.”