Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

I once passed a florist truck with this advertisement on the side of the vehicle, “Flowers whisper how you feel.”  Undoubtedly, that’s true.  Flowers do whisper how we feel.  But perhaps, even more, compassion whispers how we feel.

In his Parable of the “The Good Samaritan,”‘Jesus asked an expert in the law, “Which of these three do you think proved neighbor to the man who fell among robbers?” The man answered, “The one who showed mercy on him.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:36-37).Compassion knows no boundaries!  In the parable previously mentioned, Jesus makes it clear that neighborliness has no boundaries.  He never identifies the man by the side of the road.  He is only a “man” which means anyone at all (male, female, friend, foe,  stranger, anyone).  We should underline it-the victim by the side of the road represents anyone in need.  The Samaritan simply enters into the victim’s situation.  He has compassion on him.  And, of course, the word compassion means “to suffer with.”  It means to suffer alongside?  To enter fully into the situation of the other, sharing whatever comes.  Compassion moves beyond generalities!  The Samaritan doesn’t just sympathize with the victim, he bounds up the victim’s wounds with his own hands.

A few years back when we were living in another state my wife broke her ankle.  She said she was sitting on the curb experiencing great pain.  A young person employed at a nearby fast food restaurant saw her, came out and asked her if she was alright and if she could help her.  That employee brought my wife some ice, water, stayed with her until help came and even helped her into the car.  Thankfully, that young employee moved behind generalities.  Compassion always has something to give!  A true neighbor always gives and (let it be emphasized) a true neighbor always has something to give.  Note the Samaritan continued to give by taking the victim to the inn.  He paid the innkeeper to look after him and offered to pay whatever else was need for the victim’s care.

As you are well aware, Samaritans have been and are desperately needed in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating destruction.  So many lives lost.  So many people without power, food, water, shelter, transportation and other life essentials.  Like you, I have seen a number of updates on this destruction and have seen pictures of this unbelievable heartbreaking disaster.  Then there was Hurricane Milton and its deadly track across Florida.  More lives lost.  More people in great need of life’s essentials.  As I heard one man say who was caught up in the destruction of “Helene, “ It is neighbor helping neighbor that is making the difference.”

Gratefully, Samaritans and leaders filled with compassion have been there and are still needed.  Samaritans are needed to pray, to give financially, to assist with church, charity and community projects and to do other things.  Compassion not only whispers how we feel,  but it knows no boundaries, moves beyond generalities and keeps on giving.  We thank God for all the Samaritans who have, are and will continue making a difference in recovery efforts.