SAMARITANS

It’s easy to hear a Bible story that is familiar to us and or to grasp its radical implications. The parable Jesus told the young lawyer known as “The Good Samaritan” is such a story. We hear it in its ancient context and really don’t consider it as part of our modern lives.

The Samaritans were reviled by those who considered themselves good Jews and in the same way undocumented immigrants are similarly reviled. Sure, we use them to cut our lawns, cook and serve in restaurants, and pick our crops among other things, but we really don’t think of them beyond that.

As the threat of raids and deportations loom across New Jersey, consider the Samaritan. You may be surprised who among us is a Samaritan. We cannot be like the priest and the Levite who crossed the road. 

––Pastor Joyce