Have mercy on others

17 March 

Read Luke 10:30-37 and reflect on the passage.

Growing up, I remember a neighbor lady who lived across the street. She lived alone and was terrified of thunderstorms. Whenever a storm arose, she called our house and one of us girls had to go stay with her till it passed. I hated it. I would beg my sisters to go in my place, but when it was my turn, I had to go. I remember once saying I would go, and then heading in the opposite direction to a friend’s house, knowing she would be terrified, but I didn’t care. I forgot I was her neighbor.

Jesus tells a story about someone who gets beat up and left for dead. Those who should have stopped and cared for him walked on by, but the very one who should not stop does. Why? Because he sees the man simply as a person in need—as a neighbor. When Martin Luther translated the Bible from Latin to German, he had two German words from which to choose for the word neighbor. One meant “the person next door,” the other “the person in need.” He chose the second. Loving with all our heart is being a neighbor to those in need.

Questions

1. Recall a time when you failed to show mercy to one in need. Lord have mercy.

2. Recall a time when you embraced someone else’s need whole-heartedly with compassion and care. What was the difference from the first instance?

Prayer

Merciful God, open our eyes to those around us who are hurting and in need. Show us how to be a neighbor, through Jesus’ mercy.

—Patti Morlock