It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
The past week and a half has been a time of fear, anxiety, determination, hope, and (just a little) pride. The outstanding community effort to do the hard work that was needed to protect the city of Cedar Rapids from the rising floodwaters will be part of this area’s history for many years to come. Television coverage showing people of all ages and ability levels filling sandbags, helping folks move property from their at-risk homes, and being available to give a hand wherever needed brought home the reality of the danger the flooding river posed.
Observing and appreciating the efforts of these people with strong backs and big hearts, my thoughts turned to Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-36) The story is a simple one, as Jesus described the actions of three different individuals, who were on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and came upon a man who was beaten, robbed and left along the roadway. After all, two people not only passed by without offering aid, they crossed to the other side of the road to avoid him by as much space as possible! Then along came a foreigner, who was unwelcome in Israel and considered to be of undesirable character by the Jews. It would seem unlikely that he would give assistance to someone who would look down on him. However, not only did he stop and patch up the injured man, he took him to an inn, cared for him there, and, when he had to leave, promised the innkeeper that he would cover any additional expenses.
Remember, Jesus told this parable in response to a lawyer who was challenging him, evidently trying to trip him up with what he considered a tricky question, “And who is my neighbor?” At the end of the story, when Jesus asked the lawyer which of the three was a neighbor, the only possible answer was, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus’ response, “Go and do likewise,” pretty much sums up our calling as Christians. If someone needs help, you help them, however you are able.
I’ve wondered, if you asked the flood volunteers helping in so many ways, “Why are you doing this?” if they would say, “Because I am called to do so by my Christian faith,” or if they’d simply reply, “My neighbors and my community need help, so this is what I’m doing.” But in responding to a call for help, we are responding to God’s call – we are his people and whether we stop and think it through or not, by our actions we demonstrate what God’s people do in this world.
The ability to show compassion and act on it is our gift from Christ, the model for empathy and service. The term, “good neighbor” is so positive – it’s both a compliment and an expression of gratitude, and we have learned that our community is abundantly blessed with good neighbors. May God guide us in finding additional ways to continue living out our Lord’s teachings and following his example.
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers