蜜芽传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Rev Lynne Gibson

Good morning.

I belong to a generation who grew up learning 鈥榖y heart鈥�. At school, that meant poetry and snippets of plays, crammed into our brains before exams, never to be used again. In Sunday school, it meant that we also learned the creed, the whole catechism and the Ten Commandments by heart.

Increasingly, I find I鈥檝e been reflecting on God鈥檚 command to observe a holy Sabbath, and his reminder that the day of rest was for everyone 鈥� families, servants and the 鈥榮tranger who is within your gates鈥�. The 鈥榮tranger who is within our gates鈥� is to be welcomed, protected and will also receive Gods blessing.

There is at present, debate and disagreement about to whom we owe those obligations. Are they to be largely confined to those closest to us? In a sense, it is a similar question to that asked of Jesus 鈥淲ho is my neighbour?鈥�.

When Jesus was asked that, he told the parable of the Good Samaritan. It was an uncompromising response. The neighbour to the injured man was the one who showed love and compassion. Not only did he help in a practical way while others passed by on the other side 鈥� but he stepped out of his comfort zone and took a risk in crossing the road to help 鈥榯he other鈥�.

There are many examples of intolerance and fear-filled hatred of those who are a different race, creed, colour, gender and sexuality. The call to people of faith and none, to cross the road to help, to step out of our comfort zones and to speak up for the 鈥榦ther鈥�, has never been more important.

鈥榃ho then was a neighbour to the injured man?鈥�, Jesus asked.
鈥楾he one who showed mercy on him鈥�, the lawyer replied.
Jesus said to him, 鈥楪o and do likewise.鈥�

Lord, give us courage, kindness and the compassion that we might show your mercy to everyone. Amen

Show less