There is conversation these days which is carried on with great energy. The topic might loosely be called the pathology of society. On one side there are those who advocate for people who bear the stigma of obvious brokenness. On the other side there are those who seem to denigrate the broken in their desire to live in communities without such unpleasantness.
Ultimately both sides are in agreement. They each desire meaningful change. How this might occur is where they differ.
One side wants the problem to go away, and seems not to care how that is accomplished. The other side care for these people, and desire the change to be good for them, and the community.
The reality is that if substantive change is to occur it must arise from a place of compassion. Compassion is difficult.
Jesus demonstrated compassion in his ministry. He understood that loving one鈥檚 neighbour as oneself is complex and demands courage. His life of compassion was challenged by religious and secular leaders. This was never more evident than when he chose to dine with social outcasts and those on the margins. The poor, the 鈥渋ll-behaved鈥� and the sick were never far from his side.
The parable of the Samaritan is one of many occasions when Jesus is asked a question designed to put him in his place. In this case he answers the question with another question; 鈥淲hat does the law say?鈥� The lawyer gives the correct legal answer. In response Jesus tells a story, a parable that is so familiar. Many do not realize what a radical story it truly is. 聽A modern version might be: a man is lying on the grass boulevard not far from a place where homeless folk congregate. He is bleeding and it is clear he has been beaten. A local business owner sees him and walks by, a member of the legal profession shakes his head and walks on, and a religious leader sees the person and crosses over to the other side of the street. Others walk past, some muttering about the effect on tourism or local businesses.
A young man, who had often been rejected because of the struggles of his youth, was walking by. He had been shuttled through foster homes until he was too old. He was forced to live on the street. With no family, and no one who seemed to care, he began to use illegal drugs. Now clean and sober, he avoids contact with other addicts. He had found a career, married and is a new father. He stops to help. He assisted the man into his car and took him to someone who had helped him. He knew there was a spare room and medical help available. He covers the cost of medical supplies, food, accommodation and whatever else is needed for the man. He knows that for now this can be a home for the one 鈥渨ho had fallen among thieves鈥�. 聽After Jesus had finished the story he asked this question of the lawyer. 鈥淲hich of the people in the story showed the person compassion?鈥� There is only one answer the lawyer can give. Jesus challenges his listeners to鈥漡o and do likewise鈥�.
We can often find rationales to avoid the hard work of compassion. 聽Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. encountered similar resistance to living a compassionate life. He said:鈥滳owardice will always ask the question, 鈥業s it safe? Expediency will ask, 鈥業s it politic?鈥� Vanity will ask, 鈥業s it popular?鈥� Only Conscience will ask, 鈥業s it right?鈥� Is it compassionate?
The Reverend Canon Nancy Ford, Deacon, is the Anglican Director of Deacons for the Diocese of British Columbia聽and Deacon to the City of Victoria out of Christ Church Cathedral.聽
You can read more articles from our interfaith blog, Spiritually Speaking
* This article was published in the printe edition of the sa国际传媒 on Saturday May 7, 2016
