For Such a Time as This: Caring for Our Neighbors
Each of us is able to make the world a better place, even just for a moment, for someone else.
Our journey through Lent continues. We began with “Choosing Wisely” in how we live our lives with the story of the rich man and Lazarus. From there we went to “Creating Heaven on Earth” with the comparison of the mustard seed to the Realm of God.
On Sunday we explored “Caring for Our Neighbors” with the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan. Now is an excellent time to remind ourselves just who our neighbors are.
The parable is pretty clear that our neighbors are the most vulnerable among us, the people with the greatest need. In the story that Jesus told in Luke’s Gospel, the need was for medical care and it was provided by a Samaritan, an outcast in Jewish society. Moreover, the care was provided after those you’d expect to care passed by.
The truth is that we are ones people would actually expect to care. It is on us to ask ourselves who we’ve passed by and who is in need of care in this moment. Then the next obvious question is to ask what we are going to do about the need.
Each of us is able to make the world a better place, even just for a moment, for someone else. Our care does not have to be on a grand level. A small act of kindness can change someone’s life.
We are responsible for meeting the needs of the vulnerable around us. How else can we sleep at night?
On Sunday I asked us all to think about what we can do to help our neighbors. Have you done something – big or small? Is it something you could do more of? Please share your experiences in the comments.
Our Lenten journey continues this week with “Knowing Our Value and the Value of Others” with the familiar parable of the Lost Sheep. Having been attentive to caring for our neighbors, knowing the value of all human beings might come a little easier.
Be sure to check out all the other announcements and remember that you are an important part of this community and I am glad you are here. The travel in this season is easier because we are together.
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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