SERMON 219 - SUNDAY 13 JULY 2025 - TRINITY 4

 REFLECTION FOR SUNDAY 13 JUNE 2025 – Trinity 4

(West Dean Morning Worship – Sermon 219)

Luke 10:25-37

Reflections on the Parable of the Good Samaritan: Who Is My Neighbour Today?

 The Parable of the Good Samaritan, found in the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37), is one of the most profound teachings on compassion, mercy, and what it truly means to be a neighbour. In the story, a man is left beaten and robbed on the roadside. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but a Samaritan, considered an outsider and enemy by the standards of that time, stops, cares for him, and ensures his recovery. Jesus concludes by asking, "Which of these was a neighbour to the man?" The reply: "The one who showed mercy." This parable compels us to redefine the boundaries of whom we consider our neighbours.

In its original context, the parable challenged social prejudices and called for universal compassion beyond cultural and ethnic divides. Today, the question remains relevant: Who is my neighbour in the modern world? As societies have become increasingly interconnected yet often divided by race, religion, nationality, and socio-economic status, this question prompts us to examine how the principle of loving our neighbour can be applied in contemporary life.

 

Expanding the Definition of Neighbour

Traditionally, the concept of neighbour might be confined to people living nearby or those belonging to the same community or religion. However, Jesus broadens this definition by illustrating that neighbourliness transcends social barriers. In the modern era, this can mean many things—reaching out across cultural divides, helping strangers regardless of background, and recognizing shared humanity in a globally interconnected world.

For example, consider refugee crises, global pandemics, and economic inequalities. In each case, the immediate response to suffering calls for a neighbourly attitude. The person in need may be thousands of miles away or part of a different social group, yet compassion and action are demanded of us. The challenge lies in overcoming indifference and recognizing that our neighbour is anyone in need, regardless of nationality, race, or circumstance.

 

Who Are the Neighbours in Today’s Society?

In a modern context, neighbours are not just the people living next door—they are individuals suffering from social injustices, environmental crises, or personal hardship. For instance, marginalized communities facing systemic discrimination, victims of natural disasters, and isolated individuals in mental health crises all exemplify those to whom we are called to be neighbours.

Moreover, in this digital age, the concept expands even further. Social media exposes us to global suffering—such as videos of natural disasters, war zones, or poverty. Ignoring these may be easier than engaging, but the parable reminds us that compassion should extend online as well as offline. Acts of kindness, advocacy, or raising awareness can be modern forms of neighbourly love.

 

Barriers to Being a Modern Neighbour

Despite the expansive understanding of the term, several barriers hinder our ability to see everyone as our neighbour. Indifference, prejudice, fear, and inconvenience often create boundaries that prevent us from helping others. The priest and Levite in the parable represent societal figures who might have faced religious or social obligations not to touch a wounded person, but their avoidance contrasts sharply with the Samaritan's action.

Similarly, in modern society, busy schedules, economic self-interest, or polarized ideologies can hinder acts of mercy. We may feel powerless in the face of large-scale issues or uncertain about how to help effectively, yet small actions—like listening, volunteering, donating, or simply offering kindness—embody the essence of neighbourliness.

 

Practicing Compassion in the Modern World

Applying the parable today involves actively seeking out opportunities for mercy and compassion. Churches, NGOs, community groups, and individuals are called to prioritize empathy and service. This could mean volunteering at homeless shelters, supporting refugees, or simply offering a kind word to someone who is struggling.

Furthermore, education plays a crucial role. Teaching empathy in schools, raising awareness about social injustices, and fostering intercultural understanding can cultivate a culture of neighbourliness that extends beyond surface-level charity into genuine relationships.

 

The Power of Small Acts

The parable underscores an essential truth: the greatest acts of neighbourliness often stem from small, everyday gestures. In a world overwhelmed with crises, the reminder that even minor acts—listening to a friend, helping a neighbour, or advocating for justice—are meaningful is empowering.

For example, in urban settings, noticing a lonely elderly neighbour or assisting a stranger with directions exemplifies this principle. Globally, supporting essential workers or contributing to charitable causes can reflect a broad sense of neighbourliness.

 

Conclusion

The Parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to broaden our understanding of who our neighbour is in today's interconnected world. It asks us to transcend cultural, racial, and social barriers, and to act with mercy towards everyone in need. In a time fraught with division and prejudice, just as in the time of Jesus, this parable is as relevant today, if not more so, than then when division and dissent, and suffering and hardship are seen globally through the eyes of the digital world.

A prayer:

God of love,

May we always see the world through the eyes of the Good Samaritan and be filled with your deep compassion. Help us to be merciful neighbours even when it is inconvenient, when we don’t have time, or when we have other responsibilities to attend to. Grant us the insight to see the need in those around us, the wisdom to know how to respond, and the strength to do so willingly.

We pray for those we might cross the road to avoid - the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalised. Those, who in many and various ways, have been stripped, beaten and left for dead. We pray for all who call from us more than we feel we have to give. Open our eyes, that we might not cross the road from human need.

May our love of you and love of our neighbour call us to be people of peace and justice in the world. And may we, like the Good Samaritan, always ‘go and do likewise’.

 Amen

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