Chaplains Corner - June 2013

Have you had opportunities lately to help a family member, friend, neighbor, or stranger? Have you been deluged lately with requests for help by way of personal contact, mail, telephone, email? As a result, a lot of people are becoming cynical about helping others in any manner, and have become cold-hearted, and less giving of themselves. Christians have a high calling placed on them by Jesus Christ in Luke 10:27, “You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

Each day we have opportunities to demonstrate our commitment to God by loving and caring for those around us. There are many people who are discouraged and beaten down by the hardships, pain, and suffering in life. These people have a great need for a listening ear, a kind heart, and a helping hand, But sometimes we’re too busy to even be aware of them to be moved by their circumstances to sacrifice our time, money, or actions to minister to their needs.

Jesus goes on to describe a story a man who was beaten and robbed on the way to Jericho in Luke 10:30-37. As he lay bleeding in the road, two religious leaders came upon him. Instead of seeing the situation as an opportunity to help, they each saw the injured man as an obstacle and moved to the other side of the road. But a passing Samaritan felt compassion and was willing to interrupt his journey and expend his time, energy, and money to help the injured traveler. This is how Jesus describes what it means to help those in need.

The next time a need comes into your awareness, take the time to listen with compassion and be sensitive to the need being truthfully presented to you. Then, respond with a sacrificial act of love and kindness that satisfies and fulfills the need. Then smile, and pat yourself on your back because you may have just responded to Jesus in disguise. Great will be your reward in heaven for what you do here on earth.

Chaplain John