Learning from the Good Samaritan
Compassion and Listening
Reflection By Scott Stoner
“Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
- Luke 10:36-37
The story of the Good Samaritan from the tenth chapter of Luke is one of the best-known teachings of Jesus about compassion. In this parable, a man has been beaten up and left for dead by the side of the road. A priest and a Levite both see the man and pass by him, not wanting to get involved. Then the Samaritan comes by, chooses to respond fully to the man, and offers him what he needs to heal.
Many factors are involved in this story of compassion, but it all starts with someone being willing to listen. Like the first two men, we too at times choose to walk around the suffering of another, not wanting to be a witness to what they are experiencing, perhaps because it makes us uncomfortable. To truly listen to another’s suffering is to risk getting close to their pain and allowing ourselves to feel it. When we listen in that sincere way, we may find ourselves moved so deeply that we can no longer merely walk on by. Once we learn what they need, we may be moved to show compassion.
The Good Samaritan is a model for all of us of what it means to not ignore or walk around the pain of another, of what it means to choose to listen and respond with compassion.
Making it Personal: As you reflect today, you might want to reread the parable found in Luke 10:25-37. How does the Parable of the Good Samaritan speak to you about listening and compassion? Is there a particular person or situation that God is calling you to listen to and offer compassion to, perhaps one that initially makes you uncomfortable?