I kinda’ have music on my mind often, whistling throughout my day, humming and singing, too. From the 60’s (yes, I remember the 60s lol), The Supremes sang, Stop! In the Name of Love (’65) and Dionne Warwick sang Walk on By (’64). As these two tunes fluttered through my mind, off and on during my day, I realized how they apply to The Good Samaritan Biblical story.

        Jesus had been questioned by an expert in Jewish law asking what he needed to do to have eternal life.  Jesus answered a question with a question (I think that was a Socrates’ method, too) and He said, “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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ‘” Further questioning about who the expert’s neighbor was, caused Jesus to answer with the story of the Good Samaritan.

        A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by robbers.  He was stripped, robbed, beaten and left for dead.  Later a priest traveling the road passed on by, as well as a Levite, neither man providing aide. A Samaritan came by, saw the man, bandaged his wounds, put him on his donkey and took him to an inn.  Jesus asked, “Which of the three acted as a neighbor?” 

The expert’s reply, “The one who showed mercy.” 

Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.”

        These songs rumbling around in my head remind me NOT to Walk on By, but to Stop, in the Name of Love.  People are in need. Go and do likewise.

Jill