It's April already... How does time fly by so fast, yet, in many ways, we feel minutes, hours, or the days and nights drag by... During the last weeks of March, I've found regression become a part of my life again. I've had to return to using a cane to walk and even to using my walker often. So what has hit me now? Well, it seems that another inherited problem, this time from my grandmother on my father's side, has taken hold--osteoporosis, which relates to our bones and bone structure. My pain began very close to my recent hip replacement surgery on the left side of my body. That pain also moved upward into my waist where it became swollen and upward into a place near the middle of my back. Sooo, soon, I will be having a bone density scan... and possibly a new medication. I've been taking supplemental bone calcium meds for years, but my latest birthday came and "next on the list of issues" became apparent...
Perhaps it is time to stop spending so much time on the computer since that becomes part of the problem. In any event, I'll keep you all posted. Cataract removal surgery is next on my "body" list of things to do...Sigh...
You know, folks, I woke up earlier this morning and the channel was already set from yesterday. Joyce Meyer (do you know of her?) She was using the scripture that surrounds the story of the Good Samaritan...Luke 10:25-37. I felt led to share what Meyer discussed, mainly because this is one of my favorite parables, and also because Meyer spoke truth related to how it is to be used in today's world.
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
I'm going to use my own words of understanding of what this parabel says and as confirmed by Meyer this morning.
Note that a priest and a Levite were walking along the road. There was a man there--he'd been beaten, was bleeding and naked. His clothes had all been taken. Both the priest and Levite walked by the man. Maybe a brief prayer was raised...or these men were too involved in their own agendas and didn't feel a need to help a victim of a vicious crime.
And then a Samaritan, an individual who was not of the country or faith of those living there... He immediately felt concern and went to the man and placed him upon his donkey, after first working to clean his wounds and provide him with some bit of clothing and took him to a place to heal. He told the Innkeeper that if he needed more assistance, then he was to give it to him and the Samaritan would repay the Innkeeper upon his return... Thus making an ongoing commitment to help the stranger...
Notice that the local religious leaders had no empathy or sympathy...like many within the evangelical christian group or other religions(?), who cared not for those in need, but rather what they wanted to have done. Joyce Meyer's words spoke of this being a failing of the leaders... they did not have the empathy of the Heart of God to stop and care for the stranger...
Further, Meyer spoke about the need for empathy and sympathy for all those who are different from us. Again, pointing out that it is God's direction to love our neighbors, to care for them... and not only love them, but give of our own resources to ensure their needs are met... The violence against the stranger was not of God, just as the violence of January 6th and any other daily event of taking up arms against another... is NOT of God... Jesus says we are to go and do likewise as did the good Samaritan...Think of what is happening in America and across the world...and read the scripture over and over if you need to...
Right now, I need to recommit to the Love of God... Perhaps you do, too, or maybe you're ready to make a commitment to do so. We must turn away from violence, hatred, and prejudice. We must forgive whatever you think has harmed you or has gone against your Truth. Stop, Analyze, do some research, listen with open ears, see with wide open eyes... Turn to Truth... God's Love is Truth... God's Love is Always There, Waiting...For Each of us to do one thing... Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You...
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