As we travel, rejoice in, and struggle along the road of life, we encounter infinitely varied situations and experiences. Among the contrasts and blessings, many confirm the good we find in our fellow travelers; many do not.
Beneficial Blessings
I’d like to share a blessing that has been precious to me. My two adult daughters and I share and “collect” times when we see people doing something “good”—beneficial or helpful to others. I’d like to mention two from our collection.
When an airplane had kept passengers stranded inside it for hours while repairs were taking place, a young child had finally come to the end of what he could handle. A man seated nearby invited the child to come over and examine his artificial leg. Fascinated, the child calmed down and learned about artificial legs, to the joy of his parents and all of the other stranded passengers. The man saw a need, and he put himself forward to meet it.
Families may see needs and work together to meet them. Parents with three children—a boy getting big enough to be helpful and two girls too small to do much, saw a friend’s lawn getting quite long with the mower needing repairs. This family lived some distance away, but showed up at the long-lawned home on a Saturday morning with their mower in the back of their car. The father explained that he needed to show his son how to use a lawn mower. He physically guided his novice helper, with the mother steadying and advising. The two little girls noted pine cones on the ground in the backyard; with giggling enthusiasm, they gathered up and bagged them. No one suggested such a Saturday project. Faithful, caring, helpful people saw a need and met it.
A Parable With Warnings
The Savior’s teachings are filled with contrasts and blessings. I’ve always loved the parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes striking contrasts and blessings found in human nature and profound understanding of what we need to know. As in all Christ’s parables, situations and conditions are specific to His time, place, and listening audience; but truths taught are eternally relevant.
Greed Feeders
Attacks by thieves on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho were not unusual. Some analysts suggest that the man should not have been traveling alone, but he was. Human greed has always been widespread; the greedy take what they want without concern for those they take it from. Some of today’s greedy still use physical abuse, even murder.
Much in today’s cultures feeds greed, even for members of the general public who wouldn’t apply this word to ourselves. Phone invasion on just one morning (March 10, 2024) included “get the deal,” speedo savings,” “see what’s new,” “everything Easter” (2 1/2 months in advance), “hop to it,” “the pool is calling” (from high temperatures in the 40s). Some laid it on thick: “From spring decor to sweet looks & tasty teats, get everyone ready to celebrate.” Advertising included “speedo goggles” and “splash Jammers.”
A golf card game, received by some golf-loving family members, wanted to reach people where they would be vulnerable: “The card game for families, best strategy game for couples, fun game night for teens and adults, the perfect golf gift.”
Most of us won’t end up wounded on a literal roadside, but on the road of life we may be easily unbalanced.
Artful Dodgers
In the Savior’s time both priests and Levites held inherited positions which involved working in the temple. A priest walked past the dying man and quickly crossed to the other side of the road to avoid even looking at him. A Levite came by and looked at the man before crossing to the other side. Both of them were leaders in the man’s religion and culture, but neither wanted anything to do with his wounded and dying state. Both had a religious calling and responsibility for helping one of their “own,” but they dodged out of it by crossing the road.
If you want to learn about artful dodgers, go to the children’s song Follow the Prophet.
Now we have a world where people are confused.
If you don’t believe it, go and watch the news.
We do find artful dodging on newscasts every day. And in other aspects of our lives as well.
How often do we hear “We really shouldn’t talk about this,” “Let’s keep this as our secret,” or “Just between you and me.” Maybe phrases like this were used by the dodging priest and Levite as they met up later on their journey. Gerrit W. Gong gave us perspective: On our dusty roads to Jericho, we are beset upon, wounded, and left in pain. Though we should help each other, too often we pass to the other side of the road, for whatever reason.”
A Parable of Love
The good Samaritan is about both contrasts and blessings.
Equiy
The Samaritan wasn’t dodging anybody. He saw only a wounded man desperately needing compassion and care. He poured oil and wine into the wounds and bound them. Elder Gong mentioned that oil and wine are symbols of ordinances, including the sacrament. The Samaritan set the man on his own animal and walked beside him—positioning himself as the servant and caregiver.
That positioning did not change when they arrived at the inn. The Samaritan cared for the wounded man himself. When he needed to leave the inn in the morning, the Samaritan arranged for the wounded man’s care and paid for it, promising to pay any more needed when he came by again. The innkeeper knew the Samaritan and trusted him.
Our Prophet’s Counsel
What about good Samaritans among the contrasts and blessings in our lives today? People who extend themselves where they see needs—excluding no one in prejudice or judgment. People who give personal care, with genuine compassion for those who suffer. There are more of them than we can possibly imagine. They serve with caring, love, and worship of God. And God knows—‑the only one who matters.
Amid the contrasts and blessings that fill our lives, we have a beloved Prophet of God today who teaches us about equity and love.
Each of us has a divine potential because each is a child of God. Each is equal in His eyes. God does not love one race more than another . . . He invites all to come unto Him, “black and white, bond and free, male and female” . . . standing before God is not determined by the color of your skin. Favor or disfavor with God is dependent upon your devotion to God and His commandments . . . I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of God’s children.
Jews and Samaritans were different cultures, had different beliefs, and generally tried to avoid each other. This did not matter to a Samaritan who saw someone desperately wounded who needed help which he could give and did give gladly. May we all remember and heed the way our Savior closed the parable: “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).
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