Showing Love of Neighbor Starts With Us
Today’s Verses:
Luke 10:37 ESV
And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Today’s Gospel reading in church is the lectionary appointed reading for the day from Saint Luke’s Gospel, the tenth Chapter, the story of the Good Samaritan. If you’ve ever had even the inkling of Christian education, you’ve most likely heard of this parable of Jesus. The story is simple: A man is walking on a road and is mugged and beaten. Left for dead, first a priest comes by, notices the injured man, and walks on past. Then, a Levite walks by and, seeing the man, he crosses the road to the other side. But when a Samaritan man came by, he bound up his wounds and brought him to an inn, where he continued to care for him. Jesus tells the parable to a man questioning Him about how to attain eternal life. Our Lord asks this man, who was showing love to a neighbor, the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan? The man answers that the Samaritan showed this love. And Jesus tells him that he must do the same.
Showing love to our neighbors starts with us.
It is challenging to give our all to love our neighbors without being coaxed. Why? Many people in our community need help, but at times, we find ourselves “walking past” those in trouble.
But what if we are one of the troubled? Would we not want someone - anyone - to lend a helping hand? Of course we would! Let us give thanks to our Lord for understanding that helping people is non-stop. I get more into this thought in my Sunday sermon. So, if you have time, please join us at Saint Matthew’s in New Milford (225 Center Street) at 9:30 am or at Holy Trinity in Garfield (340 Palisade Avenue) at 11:30 am. God go with you this Sunday!
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Almighty Father, on this Sunday, open my life to serving those who are in need. Give me a strength of faith to trust You and the goodness that You’ve showered upon me so I can be someone’s hope in time of struggle. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The photo above was licensed through Unsplash+