Reading the Good Samaritan with Grace

Sometimes the famous parable of the Good Samaritan is weaponized to inflict guilt or shame on us when we fail to care for every need we face out in the world. As you read this story today, see if you can pay attention to any feelings of guilt that rise up. Be curious about them - where do they come from? Do they help you desire goodness?

And as you read, also pay attention to the other thoughts and feelings beneath the surface. Where do you sense a gracious invitation or a kind encouragement? Is there a moment when you sense Jesus saying to you, “Well done” or perhaps “Join me in trying something new today” or something like that?

It’s as we pay attention - close attention - to these things that rise up in our hearts and minds and souls and bodies, that we can parse out what is life-draining and what is life-giving.

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 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. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” - Luke 10:30-36