Cross Over

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.  A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.  But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him.

We often pass by other people “on the opposite side.”   We disagree with them, and refuse to see their point-of-view.   We’re closed minded.   We won’t cross over to them. 

Instead of wine poured over the wounds of disagreement, we pour the acid of harsh insults and recriminations – sometimes venom, and especially through social media.   We victimize people instead of trying to understand them. 

We must show compassion for others – to show empathy and to be neighborly.  We must not rob them of their dignity and through taunts, teasing, and outright cruelty leaving them half-dead.

Why should we chickens cross the road?   Answer: to get to the other side where we bandage our friends and neighbors in need of loving care.

Deacon David Pierce