The tale of the Good Samaritan

The mention of Sherlock Holmes and Uriah Heep and Morse, triggers in the popular mind the names of Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens and Colin Dexter.

Our Lord presented to His hearers many unforgettable characters and people of all faiths and none refer to these creations and expect their audience to understand.

A minor celebrity, recently in the press, urged Joe Public {earning a whole lot less than himself} to be “a Good Samaritan” and support his chosen Charity.

The parable of the Good Samaritan told by Jesus resonates with us still and the main players in that drama, on the Jericho Road, have their counterparts in society to-day.

On that road there were Robbers and Victims.

The lone traveller going from Jerusalem to Jericho fell among thieves.

There are those among us ‘more sinned against than sinning’.

Many lack role models and questing for guides and leaders often fall into the hands of Satan and his servants.

To corrupt and waylay the innocent is a heinous sin and judgement will inescapably follow those who so behave.

On the road there were the Unconnected and the Unconcerned.

Those who looked at the stricken figure had duties to perform in a place of worship and it would not have enhanced their career to be mingling with such sad cases in that doubtful community, the suburbs of Jericho.

Some people seem to believe the world spins only for their comfort, promotion and security.

Anything which would diminish their status or will not advance their careerist agenda is eschewed.

It was said about Marlon Brando; “When he wasn’t talking about himself he wasn’t talking”.

You know the type of gentle reader!

Some people fail to recall that they are indebted to society in so many ways and anything they have or hope to be is a gift from God.

On that road there was a carer and a sharer.
Jesus, quoting Deuteronomy said: “The poor you will always have with you.”

What that statement means, I think is this; there will always be folk who cannot work the system and need understanding and not just soft talk but practical help.

Dr Samuel Johnson always carried with him quantities of small change so that to every begging person he met he could offer something.

He defended his plan thus; “It enables them to beg on and not to fall further into despair.”

The motivation the Christian responds to is an even higher one.

“And the King will reply; ‘I will tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.”