A Nation of Levites?
Nice story, except for the last part. That’s damned inconvenient.
“So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.” Luke 10: 32
Sunday school must have been a waste of time. It sure looks like a bunch of folks didn’t learn much…
We all know the story. Three guys come across another beat up and in a bad way. The first two walk on by, the last, the proverbial Good Samaritan, “took pity on him,” and at considerable personal expense, saw to it he was cared for.
“Go and do likewise,” the Gospel admonishes.
Nice story, except for the last part. That’s damned inconvenient.
Especially, it seems, for politicians. In particular for the ones who claim to be special friends of Jesus.
Granted, we’re not in first century Judea anymore. But the injured, sick and suffering are no less in need of care than that long ago traveler lying naked beside the road. We all see them there. The question is, do we have the character and courage to be Samaritans?
That’s not such an easy question. No doubt nearly any of us coming face to face with someone bleeding and in distress will be quick to call 911 and offer what aid and comfort we can. Suffering we can see, hear, touch and smell stirs us to compassion, even to sacrifice.
But what of the injured, sick and suffering we don’t see? Don’t hear? Don’t know? The ones that only come to our attention as numbers in a budget or slogans in a political campaign? Taking care of desperate people who are in a bad way is expensive -- way more than a couple denarii. Are they really our concern? Why should I be picking up the bill?
It’s so easy here at a safe distance, in front of the TV, pontificating in the corner tavern, to justify following the path of the Levite: They’re illegal. They’re lazy. They’re gonna become dependent.
Repeat those things loud enough, long enough, often enough and people forget the injured, sick and suffering part. We go on our way, even feeling good about ourselves for being “fiscally responsible.”
Yeah, we’re responsible all right…
Joining in one of the great prayers of the Church, Christians ask forgiveness in equal measure for “what I have done and what I have failed to do.” Considering the legislation coming before Congress and state legislatures, if we don’t stop it, we’ll have plenty to ask forgiveness for.
Take away medical insurance and the doctor’s office is financially off limits to most people in the United States. Millions of us depend on state and federal programs to provide that coverage, people for whom commercial medical coverage is beyond the reach of their income. Proposed cuts to Medicaid funding, new eligibility restrictions for state sponsored medical coverage, and similar political maneuvers will leave millions injured, sick, and suffering.
Genisis asks: Am I my brother’s keeper?
The Gospel points to the Samaritan and commands: Go and do likewise.