It has been a doozy of a year for our country and our planet, from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change events like the derecho in Iowa and raging wildfires across the globe, to job losses and the financial crisis, to the death of George Floyd and others amidst the racial tensions in this country. Many of us have heard the saying that we will “get through this together,” and I pray that more of us will come together and strive to make our communities kinder and more welcoming places. I pray for open hearts that work across lines of difference to develop neighborhoods, cities and a world where everyone belongs. Because this is our Home.
I pray that we all begin creating a better Home with small kindnesses to others; things such as saying hello when we pass people on the sidewalk, smiling (even when you’re wearing a mask!), being courteous and respectful, displaying patience with people struggling with English, and taking a little time each day to show that you love and cherish your friends and family.
The vision that God gave to Pastor Teresa for IC Compassion - to provide people with hope and opportunity so they can move out of poverty and serve others - is a vision that calls for hard work and perseverance, and sometimes requires standing up in the face of intolerance and fear. This mission reminds me of a story in the bible known as the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25-37. The takeaway from this parable is that we are to love and support ALL our neighbors across the globe despite race, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, etc. This is what IC Compassion is all about, helping to be a blessing to others in need.
I pray that if you are ever in need of help - and if we live long enough we’ll find out that there will come a time in our lives that we all will need some help - then come on by IC Compassion, because we want to be a blessing and continue doing our best to help all members of society. And in turn, you can be a blessing to others.
Amen.
Caleb Thomas M.A. LMHC
IC Compassion Board Member
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10: 25-37
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, ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “
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?”
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 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 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.”
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