DESPISED CARE PROVIDER

In this rookie season, I consider the “why” question as paramount. Why am I serving as campus pastor in Scandia Shores? The parable story of Jesus in Luke 10:25-37 came as a pleasant reference point. Why am I in the care business? Answer, “I am to be a Good Samaritan!”

The text is about the conversation between a “scholar of the law” and Jesus. One knew a lot about the law. Jesus was the One who fulfilled “the law and the prophets”. It is a good life direction to not just have a head knowledge of what is right, but a hand-experience of helping those that have a heavy set of needs.

In the parable there is a person who had a sudden tragic turn of events: robbed, beaten, left half dead by the road away from help and services of the city. He needed immediate, life-saving help all in a place with accessibility challenges. It would take so much time, money, and physical effort to put this victim to safety and health.

I find this true to the ones I am serving. Their life has been upended by time. They incurred quantitative and qualitative loss of vitality, physically and socially. They need wholistic Good Samaritan care where they are.

But who was a Samaritan in Jesus’ time? Who was this that bandaged the wound after placing some antiseptic, analgesic and emollient on the victim’s wound? He would be what the two other characters in the story would despise. In Jesus’ time there was prejudice by the Jews to Samaritans.

There were two who did not help the victim and would not even breathe the incoming breeze from Samaria. The priest who was expected to help passed on the other side of the road. Another from the tribe of Levi which was consecrated for religious services also willfully neglected the person in need.  Flagrantly, these two did not have compassion and looked down on the one who had a merciful neighbor’s heart. They failed by omitting giving care to one who is in dire need and judging wrongfully another person.

The despised Samaritan went on a rampage of self-inconvenience. He placed the victim on his travel animal, walked miles subject to the rigors of the weather, found an inn and paid the innkeeper for the requested services.

I can see in that story that I am a neighbor: one placed in a position to show caring mercy. I may fall short of some expectations of the layers of society around where I do ministry. I experienced ‘positive’ criticisms from those I serve. But my imperfections don’t stop me from pursuing excellence in my care for the ones I serve.

+ Pastor Sanny Olojan

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