15.c.2010.stmb.good.samaritan
Deut 30:10-14; Col
Who of us doesn't know the story of the Good Samaritan? A search for a term gets many hits on Google, supposedly 30 millions. There are Good Samaritan laws enacted in many countries. The simple truth is that the genuine compassion showed in this parable speaks to every human spirit. We are challenged to believe that we, too, are Good Samaritans and comforted to think that in our greatest need someone could be there for us.
What made the Samarian good?
After I was released from jail at the age of 17 after being interrogated, beaten, facing two marshal law courts, and constant thoughts of possibility of being executed by those supporting communism and socialism I went back to my high school. After all I was still a student and wanted to continue attending school. Shortly after I entered the premises of the school I was called to the office of the school principal. I was informed that I was suspended from receiving any further education in socialistic Poland and then was placed under home arrest until my educational future could be determined by the members of the party and the school faculty. Finally after two weeks of home arrest I was informed that I could continue with my studies in the school.
I found out later that the only reason I was allowed to continue my education was because a member of the communistic party intervened on behalf of me and was defending me in a court. She was the only person, no one else, who had enough courage to do it.
What makes someone a Good Samaritan? Wisdom, bravery, or self-awareness? Not really.
But ability of the person to be able to respond to someone's suffering wholeheartedly and selflessly, even though she or he might be despised and rejected by the rest of the society.
