Guest speaker Jenny Saperstein shared with us a new look at the story of the Good Samaritan.  She discussed how we keep others at a distance.  Society today suggests that people should not get too close to neighbors, to strangers, even to friends.  And if the Samaritan traveling on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho had subscribed to this idea, he would not have stopped to help the stranger, to take him to shelter, and to pay for his medical care.  She pointed out how the Samaritan represents God in our lives – unafraid to stop, to help a stranger, and to be there for him when others were not.  The Samaritan was willing to love his neighbor, despite social ideology, despite cultural differences, and despite fear.  We are challenged to go out and do likewise.

Based on Leviticus 19:9-18 and Luke 10:25-37.