Who is my neighbor?

One of the joys of work as Outreach Coordinator with Beatitudes Center DOAR’s VICaP Faith in Action program is that I am invited to share about Beatitudes Center DOAR during worship services in churches and temples throughout the Valley.

Sunday, July 15, 2007, for example, I was blessed to attend services at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 1923 East Broadway, Phoenix.  Elder Reginald Ragland in his sermon and Clarissa Ragland in her children’s message talked about one of the most famous parables in the Bible – The Good Samaritan and what it means to be a neighbor.

“Who is my neighbor?”  Challenged the lawyer after being told the story of the priest and the Levite who passed by a man who had been robbed, beaten and left in the gutter for dead while a Samaritan stopped and helped him.  The answer is, of course, anyone in need.  It is no accident that in our VICaP Faith in Action program, the folks who call us for our services such as grocery shopping, visiting, transportation, mail sorting, home repairs, etc., are called our “neighbors.” 

For that is at the heart of what Beatitudes Center DOAR is all about, neighbors helping neighbors.  Such a simple concept and yet so vital in this ever-growing Valley of the Sun where some of us don’t even know the names of the family next door. 

As as for the Good Samaritan story, which of us has not at times been the person bruised by life who needs a little help while at other times has been the person who is able to give some help.  Giving and receiving, receiving and giving.  The ebb and flow of life.