Living as a community in a diverse society is not as simple as living in a homogeneous one. In a diverse society, people from different backgrounds are intermingled and interconnected simultaneously. Thus, everyone should become a good neighbor not only for their group but also for other groups. However, not all people can easily interact with 'outsiders' due to their prejudices toward other people, especially to those of non-dominant faith traditions.
For instance, in Western Indonesia, certain religious groups condemn other religious teachings as "infidel and impure." Consequently, they are often violent in their hatred of other groups. The Christian minority in Indonesia see their churches forcefully closed by intolerant groups. In the neighborhood, they are often treated differently because of their status as Christians.
How can we as Christians become good neighbors for other groups who do not admit us as their neighbors?
The story of The Good Samaritan was a parable told by Jesus to a scribe who tested Jesus by his asking about how to achieve eternal life. Jesus replied to this scribe by questions about what is written in the Torah. The scribe answered confidently, "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 neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27)
To justify himself, the scribe asked, "Who is my neighbor?" His question is a starting point to explore Christian teaching about compassion and hospitality toward neighbors and strangers. Jesus told a parable about the good Samaritan to underline the generosity of the Samaritan, who is labeled as an enemy by Jews. In this story, a Samaritan helped a half-dead stranger on the street who was robbed and beaten by robbers.
No one cared for this poor man. A priest and a Levite who saw this poor man did not offer any help; they did not want to desecrate themselves by touching a bloody person on their way to the temple. Their attitude is based on Jewish law. These two honorable men could not be a neighbor or friend for a dying stranger. Then a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him and when he saw the man, he felt compassion.
Here the word compassion is very important. The Samaritan helped this suffering man by bandaging his wounds, pouring oil on him, and taking care of him. Then the Samaritan put the man on his animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of his needs (Luke 10:34). He also purchased lodging for this poor man. From this parable, Jesus asked a very sharp question to His followers, "Who has been a neighbor for the stranger?" This question is a critical remark for religious people who cannot practice God's love in their daily lives.
According to Terry Muck, this story was a sharp critique to the Jewish leaders at the time and for all religious people in today's context. That is, everyone should be a neighbor regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds. Muck underlines that "all can/must love God and neighbor as self." However, loving neighbors who are labeled as enemies is not easy for certain religious groups. In the context of Jewish tradition, the Samaritans are the outsiders.
They are addressed as 'unclean' and 'sinful' people. Therefore, the story of a "good" Samaritan is a counter-narrative to the Jewish leaders. A good Samaritan has been a true neighbor for a needy person. This story tells that the Priest and the Levite failed to help a stranger. This story reminds us as Christians to rethink our theological foundation of living in community.
It must be noted that central to the Christian faith is the belief that God is love. In Christianity, divine love is the motive for all revelation and ultimately, the source of salvation. The participatory love of God invites a response. It means, if God is love, then Christians are called to love all people and to create true community. In a context of community, a Christian must practice God's love, compassion, and hospitality. Christians should learn from Jesus who shows His compassion to all people including strangers and even to people who despises Him.
God's love through Jesus is a love that transcends boundaries, a love that does not ask first by what right the beloved deserved welcome. By reflecting on the story of The Good Samaritan, Christians must be part of an inclusive community that embraces all people from different backgrounds. In his ministry, Jesus broke the boundaries of condescension, suspicion, and outright hostility. As Jesus welcomes the stranger, the despised, the poor, the unclean, and the sick are all invited into the household of God as neighbors. Jesus challenges the Christian community to be a good example of God's love for neighbors as well as enemies.
From the story of The Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us to be a good neighbor to all people including those who condemn us. Jesus encourages us to share love and hospitality to our neighbors in the sense of the wider world. It means that neighbors are not only those who have a close relationship or who are in the same circles, but it goes beyond our religious and ethnic boundaries. It is important to note that living in a community, particularly in a diverse society, requires humility and an openness to be engaged with one another. As Christians, we are the living church, called to be life-givers who spread kindness and generosity to all people. Perhaps we may not change the whole world, but we can contribute by promoting peace and justice from our inner circle and out to the world.
sources taken from,
https://www.globalministries.org/southernasiainitiative/sai_bible_studies/bible_study_a_call_for_being_a_compassionate_and_hospitable_community/
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Fanfiction━ a religious book, mainly for christians-- a simple guide to the main teachings (moral values) in christianity! God had told us to be the salt and the light of this world. so i will do what He wishes for us to do. ✎ NOTES: - if you are not intere...
