I was in a wee bit of a panic. I was in desperate need of some help and my mind was rushing as I was trying to figure out who might be both available…and more importantly, willing.
“No worries – I can help you with that,” came the immediate response from my friend. In fact, it actually felt like it was instinctual.
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37).
My recent need for a ‘Good Samaritan’ has caused me to ponder who in my life has responded similarly. Those folks who have shown up when I needed them to do so. The ones who did so unselfishly with no expectation of reciprocation or transaction.
My reflection then prompted me to look in the mirror and ask myself, how available, as well as willing, am I to respond when someone reaches out to me in need? Is part of my decision to help predicated on my relationship with the person or am I actually open to assisting anyone who comes my way? And if I am willing to walk with another who needs a hand, will I do so not expecting anything in return?
What I do know is every time a Good Samaritan has come my way – and – every time I have had the opportunity, dare I say invitation, to respond to another in need, it is more akin to transformational than transactional.
“Giving is living, the angel said.
Go feed the hungry sweet charity’s bread.
Must I keep giving and giving again?
My selfish, quarrelsome answer came.
No, said the angel, her eye pierced me through. Just give ’til the Lord stops giving to you.”
– Anonymous