But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity.

Luke 10: 29-33

I think we are all familiar with this story, and it is a good one to be reminded of. But I would like to think of it in a different way. I have always read it as the Samaritan felt pity for the man who was beaten and robbed and laying there half dead because he then goes and helps him. But what if the pity he felt is for the people who walked by the man. To feel nothing for a man who is near death and bleeding and calling for help just because it may inconvenience you at the time or you feel that person is beneath you. Those are the people who deserve pity.

I have been watching a show and one of the reoccurring sayings in it is “A man asks for help, you help him.” And they stop what they are doing and go help. That was profound to me. No one has to check a schedule or has to discuss if they like the person “enough” to help. They just help. If someone comes to you for help, and you are able to, you help.

God, in this world we live in, it is hard for us not to take the easy path and only help who we want to help. So much divides us. Please give us the wisdom to realize that we all are loved by you and we need to treat each other with compassion and know that you gave us the ability to help one another, not for us to keep it to ourselves, but to share it with the world.
In Jesus name, Amen.