Daily Worship

Nurturing our neighbour

Fiona Smith May 02, 2020 0 1
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Image credit: Vine Trust

Luke 10: 30–36

30 Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’

We are all both the Samaritan and the wounded and abandoned man on the road. 

Like so many people who volunteer on Vine Trust trips — I went out thinking that I was ‘helping’ and I came back realising that I was the one who had been ‘helped’. I relearned the power of optimism and joy. I learned to ‘re-appreciate’ things that I took for granted. I more deeply and truly understood what it means to be a good neighbour — by taking a long hard look at what I was turning away from and choosing to ignore in the world. In the nurturing of my neighbour, I myself was blessed and changed. 

Space to reflect: What are the small ways in which you can nurture your neighbour this week? How might doing this nurture you as well? 

PRAYER:

Dear God,
Thank you that you nurture us
day by day, moment by moment
Help us see the ways we can nurture others.
Amen.