Luke 10:30-37 and 3 John 9-12
Our reading today is one of the most well known stories in the Bible, that of the good Samaritan. So as I read it for the umpteenth time I asked the Lord to highlight a phrase or idea for me. Well it only took a few seconds for God to answer. As I read verse 33, the last three words jumped right out at me. "But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion." (emphasis added).
The call to show compassion and help people is a message God has been laying on my heart over and over for the past year or so. I've really tried to take hold of that call and be aware of people's needs and then to act on them. It's a work in process because sometimes I'm just not tuned in to all the needs around me. But I'm working on it.
As our reading concludes, Jesus tells the lawyer to "go and do likewise." That's really an instruction to us too, you know. So how might we do that? What have you done this week to show compassion? Tami W.
The phrase repeated three times as traveler passed by "when he saw him," reminds me that I to pay closer attention and take appropriate action. Rarely do we pass people that are physically wounded laying alongside the road, if we did we may be more inclined to help those people. But daily we work with, associate with, talk-to, email, etc. people that are hurting on the inside, emotionally strained, confused or individuals who just have questions. I need God's help in my heart and the Holy Spirits guidance daily to recognize opportunities to reach out to those individuals, of all ages, those known to me and not known.
Compassion comes from the heart. There are many ways we can show compassion but for me personally, I have been praying for people, some I do not know, some I know as family and friends. I also visit with my priest all the aged or sick (in our parish) who are unable to come to Church once monthly. Some are as old as 99 years and they are still praising and giving God thanks. I love doing this and really miss them when I go on holiday.
Recently, we (former colleagues) learnt of friend with whom I worked many years ago, who now has to undergo surgery for pancreatic cancer this week. We visited her, prayed with her and also prepared a meal for her and took various items to her so she can have freshly made juice as she cannot have anything processed. I continue daily (while she was at home) to keep in touch with her and pray for her. She mentioned to us the other day that having us around her, praying for her and just keeping in touch has built up her confidence and makes her feel good. She knows God is in Charge and she trusts Him. God made it possible for us to go to visit her. She lives with a sick daughter who cannot really help. She is now in the hospital awaiting the surgery and her oldest daughter has left her job in Canada to be with her for six weeks. The daughter mentioned that while she is here, she has a mortgage to pay and that she does not know how she will manage but her place right now is with her mom.
I am asking you to pray for this family, [this friend] and her children and grand children that God will be with them at this time and provide for them. When we believe and trust in Him we will see His power and His love.
Thank you and may God continue to bless you all.
I struggle so with feeling what the "right thing" would be but feeling that the person knows how and has the ability to do for themself. I do not want to enable them. I try desparately to show the compassion of God and keep praying. "I long to be like you Lord."
Compassion Yes... I agree! But where did this compassion come from? It came from a heart, in the Samaritan, that had learned to put selfishness aside. I find that I am often choosing a selfish decision unless I am constantly training my heart to be less selfish. That is hard, because it is an on-going training session! Selfishness causes me to put my own agenda first, to put my own image first and to put my own time schedule first. However, when I "honestly" deal with these issues, THEN I find the compassion voice within me, but only then.
I'm not seeing how 3 John 9-12 fits in.
I too have read or heard this story numerous times, however what came forcefully to me after reading today, is that the good Samaritan paid 2 denarius to take care of the injured man. The point is that a denarius was a day's wage for a laborer. The Samaritan was willing to give up two days pay in order to help someone. A real sacrifice, I think the Lord is urging me to reach out some more to others. Let us likewise have a similar heart.
Hi Danny,
I know someone from BTTB will respond to you but when I read it I thought Verse 11 was what made it fit in for me. "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God".
We have to be willing to be open to God's leading and aware of those around us so that we can see with God's eyes where compassion is needed. Sometimes it is something little that we do. The other day I was in a school, substituting. In one of my classes was a teenager who was obviously mad at the world. She outright refused to do the 1st assignment, but gladly did the second one. I asked God how to handle it. My tendency is to be more strict in getting the students on board. This time I went over to her. She confronted me with, "What do you want?" (attitude exploding). God showed me that she was hurting badly inside and was not ready to trust anyone or open up to anyone just yet. I heard myself ask how I could help her. She proposed a solution which was agreeable. Praise God - it was His leading. Please don't take this as tooting my own horn; it's just an example. Look for where God is at work and join in.
Hi Everyone,
With our focus on compassion today, would you join with me in praying for the awful situation in Haiti? The people and the country need our prayers. Thanks--Tami W.
Danny,
Thanks for your question. The passage from 3 John was part of our reading today because, as often as we can, we try to align our P4 reading with the topic and/or scriptures from the BB program for that same day. Today, 3 John was part of the BB program. Tami W.
Joan,
Thanks for sharing about your friend's situation. We will be praying for her and her daughter. I'm sure she is so appreciative of the help you've given. Tami W.
Yes Tami, Haiti really needs all our prayers. Janice, that is not tooting your own horn. You asked God for help and He gave it to you. Thanks for sharing and I pray that God will always be with you not only in the difficult situations but all the time especially when we are dealing with children and young people.
"Have compassion on the needy" & "Go and do likewise". Yes, the people of Haiti certainly need help at this time. I've been praying for the believers there who are crying out to God for help. Is IDES or some other Christian group going in to help? How do I find out?
The instruction to us is to show compassion to others. To help others who are in need of assistance. We can do various things for others like getting something that is out of reach at the store for someone else or just listening when someone needs a shoulder of strength.
I have two co-workers who recently suffered horrid deaths in their families. Both were senseless and my prayers go out to them, their families, the people in Haiti and those listed in your comments.
I listen to those who are hurting and take time to pray with them. I always direct people who are hurting to read Psalm 51 and depending on the circumstance, I may give them other Scripture references to review. I always advise people who are hurting to stay in the Word of God. To pick up the Book and read and to pray. To allow God to have His way. We are to praise God from the mountain and the valley and I make sure they leave me knowing the God in in control, on the Throne and Awesome.