Listen

Jesus replied, “A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He encountered thieves, who stripped him naked, beat him up, and left him near death. Now it just so happened that a priest was also going down the same road. When he saw the injured man, he crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way. Likewise, a Levite came by that spot, saw the injured man, and crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way. A Samaritan, who was on a journey, came to where the man was. But when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.”

Luke 10:30-33

Think

What about those thieves? We so often consider this man left to die in the road, or the Samaritan, the hero. But today I find myself stuck on these thieves. They aren’t in our story long. We know this violence was at their hands and we get three actions – they strip him naked, beat him, and leave him there. Then, these thieves are gone.

We know at least two passers-by don’t help. I imagine at this point his breathing getting more labored, his hope dwindling. When this dying man finally receives help from the Samaritan, our text tells us it was compassion. The Samaritan was struck by compassion which led him to help.

So what about those thieves? I wonder what the days (years) leading up to this day looked like for them. Were they familiar with this compassion shown to the dying man? Did they know the gift of having another human look at their pain and say, “I see you; you’re not alone”? I just wonder if things could have been different.

Sara Hunt-Felke

Pray

God of the marginalized, God of the thieves, stir in me your heart of compassion.

Help me receive it.

Help me offer it to others, especially when it’s hard.

Amen.

Go

In the midst of this great BIG world, may you be assured that you are seen.

You matter.

In the great big crowd, you are not insignificant but instead you are an integral part of the beautiful mosaic.

You are called to embrace the community around you.

The community is ready for YOU.