LIVE

We invite you to start with reading Luke 10:25-37.

If we desire to impact society, sometimes we must stop and ask ourselves the right questions, such as: why do we do what we do? What is our motivation for our social justice involvement? What are the real needs? We should become experts in the needs of those around us.

Jesus understood that asking questions is the wisest way to help people mature. Moreover, He made Himself available to people who wanted to ask Him questions. There was something that attracted people of all classes and generations to Jesus.

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’

He answered, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”; and, “Love your neighbour as yourself.”’

‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’” (Luke 10:25-29)

Jesus replies with the parable of the Good Samaritan. In conclusion, Jesus asks another question: "Which one of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" (10:36) This religious scholar discovers that social justice (respecting God's will) begins with simply being a neighbour, showing compassion there where he finds himself.

Each Christian is called to be a neighbour, to be in contact with others. We have no control over those who are our neighbours, but we do have complete freedom to behave as a "neighbour" to others. Become a neighbour. Let's open our eyes to the reality around us. Through concrete actions, and through our attitudes, Jesus calls us to join him in creating a more just world. Our commitment involves two relationships: one with God, and one with our neighbour – it is the same single call. God's justice is always social. Let us seek His justice together. People may not read the Bible, but they read our lives. "Go and do something!”: This was the challenge that General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army gave to his son Bramwell, after having seen the plight of many homeless people in London. Go and live the gospel.

PRAYER TOPICS

• That we may gain a greater awareness to the social needs in our own neighbourhood.
• That we may have the courage to obey when our Lord says: "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:37)
• That we, like Jesus, may be available to those with questions.
• That we may open our eyes to see those whom others might ignore.

SUGGESTED PRAYER 

Lord, I ask myself: what is divine about my creed, if I am blind to human need? It takes courage to seek justice, to go against the flow, but You gave a clear imperative to go and do just like the Good Samaritan. Open my eyes and heart to become sensitive to human need on the road that I will walk today. May Your Spirit of compassionate stir me into action as I strive, with others, to advance Your kingdom here on earth. May we seek justice, Your justice, together.

REFLECTION

• The Good Samaritan's action cost him something personally. Are we ready to pay the price when the Lord expects us to “go and do something”?
• The Samaritan asked for help from the innkeeper and entrusted his neighbour with him. Who can help us in bringing about social justice - even outside our usual “circle”?
• Do we ask questions as an excuse not to exercise our God-given duty to care?
• How can I be a compassionate neighbour to somebody today?

Author: E. Jane Paone, Switzerland, Salvation Army Commissioner for Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory.