PRAYERS FROM THE CLOSET

A PRAYER FOR THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

LUKE 10

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 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 traveling 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,[b] 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 neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Who's that over there in the ditch?

Should I go see?

They might be dangerous

They are not my color

my race

They look different

I'm not sure who they are

Maybe I should just pass them by

Who's that over there in the ditch?

Should I go see?

They wear strange clothes

wrapped around their heads

robes or cape or dress

Weird jewelry rings necklace

Don't look anything like us

Maybe I should just pass them by

Who's that over there in the ditch?

Should I go see?

They are making odd noises

Chants or songs or prayers

Singing to a different God

Allah or Bhudda or Marduke

Not my prayers or my Jesus

Maybe I should just pass them by

Who's that over there in the ditch?

Should I go see?

Maybe they're not hurt

Maybe they're faking

Maybe they want to hurt me

Put me in the ditch

Leave me for dead

Maybe I should just pass them by