PROVE NEIGHBOUR

Amos 7: 7 - 17; Luke 10: 25 - 37

 

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus tells of a man who is robbed, beaten and left for dead on the notoriously dangerous road between Jerusalem and Jerico. A Priest, a Levite and a Samaritan happen to be individually making a similar journey. The Priest and the Levite, both religious man, were probably on their way from conducting duties in the temple. Surely one would have expected them to express their faith in action by stopping to help this unfortunate victim. No, not at all! The victim may have been dead and they were not prepared to risk the chance of becoming ritually unclean by touching a corpse. A faith which is fundamentally and exclusively legalistic and self-centered is often, if not always, devoid of any compassion.

 

We come now to the Samaritan. Samaritans were completely despised and ostracised by the Jewish religious authorities who accused them of changing the wording of the Law to reflect favourably on their traditions. This man, however, stopped to assist the victim who was, in all probabilities, a Jew. More than that, he gave up his own comfort by placing him on his donkey for the rest of the journey. Moreover, he took him to an inn, left enough money for his care and even promised more if it wasn't sufficient to cover the costs.

 

Jesus related this story to an expert in Jewish Law who asked him what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. On being confronted with the great command to love God and one's whole being and to love one's neighbour as oneself, the man asked Jesus to define who was his neighbour. Jesus does so by telling the story of the Good Samaritan. As he concluded the parable Jesus asked the man which of the three proved to be a neighbour to the victim. The man answered, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus replied, "Go and do thou likewise." (Luke 10: 37)

 

Today is Sea Sunday and we think especially of Seafarers, men and women who bring into our ports the products we need for daily life. The spend months away from their homes and families. At sea they are completely cut off from all that we take for granted, and in port they can feel alienated by an unfamiliar language and culture.

 

Seafarers often have to face danger, and other difficulties such as piracy, fires at sea, unsafe conditions, non-payment of wages or being left stranded without food or money.

 

While most seafarers work in good conditions, on well run vessels, we must remember that they can have family worries, suffer bereavement, feel homesick or need spiritual or practical support.

 

Many of these Seafarers are Christian brothers and sisters, all are our neighbours as they enter the port of Singapore. Are we, as Christians, willing to reach out to them with the love and compassion of Christ by helping to provide for their needs? Are we prepared to accept Jesus' command to be as neighbourly, loving and compassionate as was the Good Samaritan? Your generous prayers and contributions can be a way in which you reach out in loving and compassionate Christ-like care to Seafarers who call at the ports of Singapore.

 

QUESTIONS

1. In what way does St. James describe the relationship between "faith" and "deeds" in James 2: 14-17?

2. In the light of Matthew 5: 16, in what way can we evangelise others, especially non-believers, through deeds of compassion and love?

 

Rev Mervyn Moore

The Mission to Seafarers, Singapore

July 11, 2004