Consider the Word, February 9, 2023

 
Consider the Word, February 9, 2023
Email stpauls@pei.aibn.com for the link to the Bible Study.
 
Readings for February 12
Commemorating Black History Month

• Luke 10.25–37

 
Collect:

Compassionate God,

who sent Jesus Christ to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities,

create in us new hearts and enlarged visions,

to see the image of God in every person irrespective of background, race and ethnicity.

May we be generous in our love of others

as we work towards ending misunderstanding, racism and injustice;

creating communities of human flourishing,

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
The Gospel: Luke 10.25–37

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 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.” 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.’

 
Reflection Question

1. Some people excuse the priest and the Levite because if they intervened they would be subject to certain rules of isolation if they encountered a corpus. Does it change the parable when we hear that the Samaritan was subject to the same rules?
2. Does our experience of a pandemic shed any light on the full impact of this paarable?

 
Closing Prayer:

Holy God, you gather the whole universe

into your radiant presence

and continually reveal your Son as our Savior.

Bring healing to all wounds,

make whole all that is broken,

speak truth to all illusion,

and shed light in every darkness,

that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. Amen.