You know the story:
Jesus answered a question (about the great commandment) with a story: A man stripped, beaten, and left for dead… several passersby, but only one helps. And the helper is compassionate beyond expectations. He stops, sees the need, and gives up his plans for the day. He touches the bleeding man, wraps the man’s wounds with whatever he can find. He puts the man on his own animal and walks beside the animal until he (and the stranger he is tending) reach a place to stay. He cares for the wounded man through the rest of the day. The next day, the compassionate caregiver-now-turned-companion knows he can’t delay his travel any longer. He invites the innkeeper to continue to tend the man’s needs, securing agreement by paying in advance for the innkeeper’s services and promising to pay any differential later.
“Go and do likewise.” Jesus’ words are directed to each one of us, surely! But they are also directed to the collective community. We must go and do together! But go where? And do what?
We listened, and the answer we heard was this: Follow Jesus’ example and begin with the strangers whose paths cross ours. Open our eyes to their needs. Do not look away. Do not hesitate to take what we “own” or even that which has been entrusted to us, and use it to tend the needs of stranger. Walk at their side as they are carried, so that they are not alone. “Go and do likewise.”
At St. Peter’s, we are continually listening and watching, discerning how to “go and go likewise.” The story Jesus told continues to unfold. The Samaritan companion to the injured man saw that more was needed, and so he enlisted the help of innkeeper. “Join me in this good work.” And so we, too, invite you to take part in our “doing as Jesus did.” Become part of this “going and doing.” Explore our summer ministries of Christian hospitality, service with and for those in need, worship, and formation. Let’s widen the circle of doing as Jesus did!
(And after the summer, come back to check out our year-round ministries!)
