Day 70: Taking Care of Each Other - “Define Neighbor.”

DAY 70

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

WEEK TEN: SATURDAY 23 MAY 2020

Taking Care of Each Other - “Define Neighbor.”

“‘We are all grappling with personal concerns, worry for our loved ones – and to see our hospital family come together to take care of our patients and each other has been very heartening.’” - From an area hospital spring 2020 publication “COVID-19 Special Edition.”

Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?” He answered, “What’s written in God’s law? How do you interpret it?” He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence – and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.” ”Good answer,” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.” Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor?’”

Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill – I’ll pay you on my way back.”

“What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?” “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded. Jesus said “Go and do the same.” - Luke 10:25-37, The Message.

“While this has been a very difficult time for our area, nation, and the world, we also know challenges like this create strong people,” said a physician from the above-referenced area hospital. “We’ve all had our daily lives upended. But we have also seen great teamwork, innovation, and genuine care for others.” When this is over, may this be said of us as well.

Reflective question:

Who needs you to care for them in some way today?

Who is the neighbor in the story of the Good Samaritan? Will you be someone’s neighbor today?

Reflective Scripture: Luke 6:31 – “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Reflective hymn: “Help us to Help Each Other, Lord” – Jubilate Hymns (2020)

Help us to help each other, Lord, each other’s load to bear;

That all may live in true accord, our joys and pains to share.