Neighborliness (Guest Speaker: Nat Light)

Luke 10:30-37

Nat Light (part of the CFC family) brought us a modern take on the story of the Good Samaritan. Nat has experienced a spiritual journey that could be described as 'moving from having all the answers to wondering about the questions.' He is learning to be a better listener and sit peacefully in uncertainty. When not at work, he can be found either contemplating home improvement or actually doing it. He is a lifelong resident of western Washington and as such is relatively unbothered by rain.

Luke 10:30-37 (NRSV):

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 took off, 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 upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. 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, 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.”

Queries:

Is there anything inside of me that prevents me from being the best neighbor I can be?

Do I present with defensiveness or an open heart when confronted with my failures to be neighborly?

What does neighborliness without loopholes look like, when we apply it to ALL our neighbors?