PDC-9: The Samaritan to the Good Samaritan

PDC-9: The Samaritan to the Good Samaritan

 

Let's continue to look at the things that the Samaritan did that were different from the previous two travelers on the way to Jericho. These were the actions that probably transformed the 'Samaritan' to the 'Good Samaritan'.

 

For the actions 1-5, please visit http://www.peopledrivencharity.blogspot.com/ or the ICON archives. (PDC-8)

 

6. The Samaritan sacrificed his comfort for serving the wounded man. The Samaritan was probably traveling by using donkey as his vehicle. He used his donkey to transport the wounded man. It's highly likely that Samaritan would have walked till the inn supporting the wounded man since both cannot travel on the donkey.

 

7. The Samaritan provided the mid term support for the wounded man. He not only helped the man with his immediate need, but also found a place for the wounded person. He entrusted the wounded man with the innkeeper. He provided the needed resources to the innkeeper to take care of the wounded man.

 

8. The Samaritan pledges his continuous support by telling the innkeeper that he will reimburse any expense that he incurs in addition to the initial expense. This amounts to the long-term support to the wounded man.

 

9. The Samaritan entrusted the wounded man (after taking care of him) and went on his travel. He did not give up because he could not take care of the wounded person full-time. He provides what he could, and gets the help of others. (Like the innkeeper)

 

10. The Samaritan had a genuine service mentality. He did not do good to show off. He was away from his hometown. There was no one in that place for him to impress. He did not know the wounded man, yet he invested money, time and his resources to serve the stranger.

 

The Good Samaritan reminds us not to close our eyes to the needs. He reminds us to help any person, not just the people we know. His actions remind us of the Christian within us. He was more of Christian than the priest who was probably running to offer sacrifice in the church.

In any situation, we have many choices. Each of these characters made their own choice. The Samaritan made the choice to be the 'Good Samaritan'. How do we join hands with?

 

To be continued...

 

The next two topics:

 

PDC-10: The Good Samaritan: The inheritor of the Eternal Life

PDC-11: Why not a Good Levite?

 

Thanks,

Rajesh Vargheese

St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Austin, TX

(Currently from Kottayam, Kerala)