Are You a Passer-By?

Today’s Gospel gives us a good question to ask ourselves: Are you a passer-by? 

Do you overlook or turn away from the need or person that God shows you at any given time? 

We pass by needs for all sorts of reasons. The volunteer opportunity at church. The homeless man on the street. The food drive in the community. The lonely person in a nursing home. The troubled teen without a mentor. The orphan child without a home.

Our reasons: Not enough time. Pursuing our own life’s agenda Fear. Bias. Seeing it as too much of a hassle. Being cynical about how our help will be used. Thinking we can’t really make a difference. Needing to provide for our own needs first. Forgetfulness. Not being able to afford to help. Just being oblivious because we are too self absorbed.

We are quick to dismiss the need in front of us.

This happens frequently in our own Church. There are financial, volunteer, and ministry needs everywhere you look, and many people are quick to dismiss helping because of their work, family, home responsibilities, budgets, etc. But then those same people manage to find plenty of time to shop, socialize, entertain themselves, scroll social media, and travel.

Ultimately, we make time and effort towards things we value.

I’ve found this to be true in my own life: God frequently calls us to do something when it disrupts our comfort and convenience, or stretches us beyond what we think we can do.

Perhaps in those reasons for passing by is your opportunity to become one of those Good Samaritans.