Are YOU a Religious Leader or a Samaritan?

I am so inspired to write this today. I had to stop all I was doing to write it. I pray we choose to be great Samaritans.

I had a conference call with a friend of mine today. He sent me a message yesterday asking to set up a time to talk. He has tried to talk to me since last October. I honestly didn’t have time to talk to him. I felt to go ahead, stop my program, and speak to him today. I thought maybe GOD had something He wanted me to tell him, but the surprise was on me.

As our conversation continued, he shared a story with me, and I asked his permission to share his story with all of you and on my blog. He told me he was in his country (Not USA) and got on a bus with a badly broken leg, wearing a cast and on crutches. There were no seats. Everyone saw him, but pretended they didn’t. He was standing there, resigned to the fact this was going to be a terrible ride. Then, this homeless man, who was sitting, got up, and told him to take his seat. My friend thanked him and began to talk with him.

This man was not a citizen of his country. In fact, he was a Syrian refugee who was living on the street. My friend was so moved by this man that he continued talking with him. However, the people on the bus began to talk to each other, loudly so that my friend and the refugee could hear. They were mocking my friend for giving the time of day to the Syrian refugee and for talking with him.

I was brought to tears by this story. It reminded me of the following story we find in the Bible. Jesus was asked a question, and HE used the following story to teach it.

The story is about the Good Samaritan, we all know this story. The man was robbed, beating, and left on the ground bleeding. Two people go by a priest and a Levite, mind you two religious people. They left the man there. Then, a Samaritan came by. First, let me share Samaritans were not liked. In fact, they were hated.

Here’s part of the story: "'But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 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. 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.’ 'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?' The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise,'" (Luke 10: 33-37 NIV)

I want to discuss one aspect of this story. The answer given by the experts of the law. You see, this tells me and should tell you too a truth. Religious leaders really do know what’s right and what’s wrong. This is important. So, then, why their intent to do what is wrong? So simple to answer -their own evil and selfish desires like the people on that bus. The people on the bus physically saw a man on crutches, impossible for him to stand up in a moving bus. Yet, no one had the decency and common courtesy to get up and let him sit. How sad is this? Just like the previous priest and Levite who left the man there on the ground. They didn’t even try to get help for him.

In this story shown in the Bible, here came a despised, hated, shunned by society, who was an enemy of the man on the ground. Yet, he took pity. He immediately, cleaned him up, poured ointment to help him feel better, picked him up off the ground, saddled him on his donkey, (so he rode) and he walked, took him to an inn, paid a lot of money for him to be cared for, and committed himself to come back, and give them more money if need be. Who was the more godly, in actions and deeds?

I pray this story opens your eyes and heart to truth. You can know your religious book inside out. You can support all your services, follow their man made rules, and you can pay your tithes. You can even do good to those you like. It means nothing until you have one thing. It’s called love. Do you have mercy for those who are different than you? Can you show love towards those society hates? The hardest people to love are found all around you. Those would be those you don’t like because they are different. They might be of a different culture, language, customs, religion, and color.

The gospel of JESUS CHRIST is to love others as you love yourself. JESUS said, “Go and do likewise!” Do what? Love the unlovable. It doesn’t mean you push yourself on them. It means you are kind to them, helping them if they need help.

That poor homeless Syrian refugee gave up his seat for my friend, and the rest of the people were not only mad but angry that my friend was talking to the man who was kind, generous, and loving.

I hope this story moved you as it did me. It’s easy to move along with our agendas. We tend to go feed and clothe the poor, run programs in inner cities for children, or whatever it is we do. I’m sorry to say many times it’s for a big show. It makes us feel good about ourselves. So, I ask you, “When was the last time you actually prayed and asked GOD to show you who might need a cup of coffee, a phone call of encouragement, an email, messenger, WhatsApp, quick note to find out how they are doing? Is it because you don’t like their attitudes? Their belief systems?" Whatever it might be.

This story amazes me. Both the injured man in the Bible, and my friend in crutches. Both men were not helped by their own people. Catch clearly what I’m kindly hinting at. It took the “hated” person in both incident to help its own citizen! Double and triple wow! Get my point?

We are going to be so very judged by the evil we do towards our own. The HOLY SPIRIT speaks deep, and clearly. It’s our soul that is seared and not willing to hear what the Spirit has to say.

REFLECTION: "He was moved with compassion..." (Matthew 9:36).

I’m challenging us all.

It starts with me.

Are you really willing to help the hurting, in front of your eyes, who are a part of your own? You see, if you can’t do that, don’t bother with the fancy programs to look as if you care about the less fortunate. It’s a show. GOD hates shows. Secondly, are you going to help those society hates? You know, the losers (sorry for this word), those who you deem not worthy of your time of day, who you consider losers... but definitely, not GOD!

JESUS was clear except the religious leaders thought they knew more about the law than JESUS. How foolish was that? The problem is it still goes on today. Manmade religious rules have almost destroyed people, and destinies. May this never be your portion, whether you're a religious leader or a a follower of GOD!

Dr.Teresa Allissa Citro

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the LORD of Compassion and Mercy. You showed me compassion by sending Jesus to the cross to die for me. You showed me mercy when You saved me by Your grace. Let me be able to show the same kind of compassion and mercy You have shown me to others. Use me for Your glory, and let me be a blessing to someone today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

#TopicArticle #kindness #compassion #Samaritan