The Good Samaritan beyond the Church

We often reflect on the fact that Christian faith is no longer the default position for people in this country. That said, we also rejoice in the way Bible phrases can be heard every day of the week, perhaps spoken by people who are unaware that they are quoting the Bible. If we just confine ourselves to the Book of Samuel, we might overhear any of these phrases in casual conversation: “a man after my own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:4), “head and shoulders above the rest” (1 Samuel 9:2) and “how the mighty have fallen” (2 Samuel 1:25).

But it’s not just language. Reading the BBC news headlines last week, I was struck by “Man found guilty of 'Good Samaritan' murder” .  This was a tragic account of the killing of a brave and kind man who stopped at an event to help distressed people. I was moved by the story but also struck by the fact that the sub-editor felt able to assume that readers would understand the words “Good Samaritan”. This is perhaps understandable. The parable of the Good Samaritan might be offered as one of the central teachings of the Church. We must love God and we must love our neighbour. But who is our neighbour? The parable is Jesus’ answer to that key question and the BBC thinks that our society is still familiar enough with his answer to include it in a news headline. Good Samaritans exist outside the Church as well as within, and are still widely recognised as a teaching of Jesus.

God of love, give us a deep love for you,

so that we can see the world as you see it,

feel the compassion you feel,

and be a people whose lives mediate your love to others.

So open our eyes that we might see what the Good Samaritan saw.

Grant us the insight to see the need in others,

the wisdom to know what to do, and the will to do it.

In Jesus’ name

Amen