: passed by, and ignored an injured victim of
: robbery...for fear that they would break the
: Sabbath laws by assisting another human
: being, covered in blood...crying loudly, for
: help...that did not stop a passing
: Samaritan, intervening by transporting the
: victim to an inn, and paying for his
: expenses.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to do a study tour in Israel and one of our first ports of call was Mount Gerizim where a Samaritan community (one of the few left) lived.
In this context we learned how challenging this story Jesus told was to his contemporary audience. Not only would they have thought the Priest's actions (or lack of) were reasonable, they would have been taken back by a Samaritan being depicted in such a positive way.
Religious practice and adherence without love (compassion in action) is barren and, often as not, fuelled by anger and arrogance.
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »