Because we feel moved
Proper 10C - Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37
In the readings of the last few weeks there were stories about afflictions and demons, and the power to heal and to cast out demons. Jesus had the power to heal and cast out demons. As did the Twelve. As did the seventy.
In this Sunday’s gospel, there are no afflictions or demons. Just a man shoved off to the side of the road, beaten, robbed and half-dead.
Someone has a question.
They want to know who “the neighbor” is to whom we owe an obligation. Fair question. There is a lot of need and misery in the world. Exactly how much need and misery does God’s law expect us to respond to?
I suspect the person who asked the question already knew the answer. We probably do too. The answer is, as much as we can.
That answer is not easy to hear. When I wonder if I am hearing it right, I remember how much of Jesus’ work was responding to need and misery. And I hear Paul’s words in Colossians: “we have not ceased praying for you…” We only pray that way — without ceasing — when we know that what someone is living is not easy.
When it is we who are sent-out, or called-out,1 or feeling called-upon because something has “move[d] us with pity,” we can trust that we will have or find what we need to respond. Jesus did. The Twelve did. The seventy did. The women at the tomb did.
And we will. Things may not go as planned, but we will not be alone in trying to figure it out as long as we are staying connected to God, to our friends and to our communities.
And we should be prepared to be looked upon with suspicion and questions. Especially now when the Administration is boasting about its cruelty and its new laws which will shove millions of people off to the side of the road, suffering, hungry, half-dead or worse. If we choose to go to the aid of the people left on the roadside -- and especially if we make it a habit -- it will be seen as disruptive and as a statement of values disloyal and adverse to those of this Administration. And it is.
Peace.
As Amos was in the first reading.
Brilliantly said. Painfully but willing received.
Thank you Lily.