The One With Being a Stranger in a New Home

I am now one month into my YAV year. So far it has been an amazing experience and fully expect that it is only going to get better from here. I am constantly astounded by the kindness I experience everyday and the willingness of the community to accept these strangers as one of them.

Over this month, I have been leading a bible study at the nursing home and helping at Sonshine, the church school. It is amazing the similarities that arise in the discussions. One of the stories we examined was the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The Good Samaritan

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

The Good Samaritan painted by Francesco Bassano the Younger

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

I have always loved this parable. But its lesson can be difficult to put into practice. At the nursing home we talked about who we think our neighbor is. There were literal answers, "So-and-so lives next to me and whozy used to live kiddy-corner from me in town." but also discussed the neighbors we have in Christ. The consensus was that you can find a neighbor anywhere but it is being kind and showing compassion that is the struggle.

The Sonshine class mentioned the same things. I had them put on a skit and then talked about the interactions between the priest, the Levite, and the injured man. Why did these individual go out of their ways to avoid this man on the road? What would you do if you saw someone hurt like that? When we looked at the actions of the Samaritan, the kids noted how the two people who were supposed to be the worst of enemies showed the most kindness. How can we be like the Samaritan? How can we show kindness and compassion to those who are different from us?

I sent them off with a task. Do a random act of kindness for someone in your life, something unexpected. Be kind to the people you see around town. Jesus ended his parable saying "Go and do likewise" so the least we can do is try.

I think Chinook is a great example of what Jesus asked of the law expert. I have been shown such kindness and people have gone out of their way to make me feel at home and comfortable. I have been extended invitations to meals and activities around town. I have been greeted with a smile everywhere I go.

I am the stranger. The man on the side of the road. This town, my Samaritan. Giving me the clothes off their backs, giving me shelter and food. It is an honor to be in Chinook and an honor to be on the receiving end of their compassion. I hope that I can extend such kindness and compassion in return.