The Greatest Disease

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.” ― Mother Teresa, A Simple Path: Mother Teresa

What do you feel about this quote?

How can you reach out to someone who is need of love?

At the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus asked the expert in the law a question:

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” - Luke 10:36-37

Living in Grace

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The opportunities we miss?

"Christ of the pilgrim path,
and of every pilgrim heart,
thank you for revealing yourself
in situations we would prefer
to pass by." - Prayers from Iona (edited by Peter Millar)

This prayer reminded me of the man who was beaten up on the road to Jericho and then left to die. There were opportunities for both the priest and Levite to help the man and to open themselves up to someone they usually chose to ignore, but they never took the chance. Through his decision to stop and help, the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) shows us the way of mercy, and also reveals the heart of God to all of us.

Is it possible that Jesus could reveal something of himself in the situations we would rather avoid?

Living in Grace

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Ignoring others

The story of the Good Samaritan is well known in our communities, even outside official church circles. The basic message in the parable is that the religious people, who should have stopped to help the man, didn't stop, but it was the Samaritan who couldn't ignore the mans plight. Even when the Samaritan was expected to walk past, his compassion made him stop and help.

"Instead of ignoring others or stepping over or on them, with the Lord's help, we may be able to open our hearts to all in charity, compassion, and commitment." - Karen Greenwaldt

This is the challenge we live with as Christians. Showing our compassion and charity for others is an indication of our commitment to Jesus.

Luke 10:33-34 - "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him."

Living in Grace
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Love crosses the street

“What happens when love crosses the street?” – Rudy Rasmus (World Methodist Conference - 2016)

This question has such a strong challenge for us as a Christian community. When we love all people we should be willing to cross the 'street' to help them out or to draw alongside them. It reminds us of the story of the Good Samaritan, who was willing to cross the street (religious stigma, culture norms etc) in order to help someone out. If you haven't read that story for a while, then read it in Luke 10.

Are you willing to cross the street to help one of your neighbours if they are in need? 

Who could this imply in your life today?

Luke 10:33-34 - “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. ³⁴ Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them.

 

Living in Grace

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