He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. (Luke 10: 34)
Lord, help us see the wounds and find hope
Additional scripture passages
- Joel 2: 23-27
- Psalm 104: 14-15, 27-30
Commentary
The Good Samaritan did what he could out of his own resources: he poured oil and wine and bandaged the man’s wounds and put him on his own animal. The Samaritan went further still by promising to pay for the man’s care. When we see the world through the Samaritan’s eyes, every situation can be an opportunity to help those in need. This is where love manifests itself. The example of the Good Samaritan motivates us to ask ourselves how to respond to our neighbour. He gave wine and oil, restoring the man and giving him hope. What can we give, so that we can be a part of God’s work of healing a broken world?
This brokenness shows itself in our world through insecurity, fear, distrust and division. Shamefully, these divisions also exist between Christians. Though we celebrate sacraments or other rituals of healing, reconciliation and consolation (often using oil and wine), we persist in behaviours that cause division, wounding the Body of Christ. The healing of our Christian divisions promotes the healing of the nations.
In this process of healing, we have to recognise our own vulnerability – how will others know how to engage in a journey of healing if we are unwilling to bare our wounds? How do we empower such courageous behaviour, recognising there is a cost?
Reflection
The bread lies broken
crumbs spilled from the table trampled underfoot.
Wine stains bled through linen
where cups overflowed.
The lingering taste of stories shared
grows stale in the mouth.
Indelible marks,
evidence of where we sat together for a time,
but what now?
Others need their share –
wine to gladden soul
oil to anoint and heal
bread to strengthen.
We need to reset our tables
to find an unfamiliar seat,
and when the music stops
what will it have cost?
Prayer
Gracious God,
You who are the source of all love and goodness:
enable us to recognise the needs of our neighbour.
Help us to be honest about our need for healing.
Change us, so that we can love all.
Help us to overcome the obstacles of division,
that we might build a world of peace for the common good.
Thank you for your renewing work in creation
and for leading us to a future which is full of hope:
you who are Lord of all, yesterday, today and forever. Amen.
Questions
- Personal: What wounds do you see?
- Local: Where are you recognising signs of hope in your community?
- Global: What can we give, so that we can be part of God’s work of healing a broken world?
Go and Do
- Personal: What areas of difference or tension in your communities might you meaningfully seek deeper understanding around? Begin a compassionate and generous conversation with some others about this.
- Local: What groups already exist in your area that are actively involved in healing in some way? Explore meaningful ways of engaging with them.
- Global: Take time as a church group to tend to the earth and be part of healing a broken world (“renew the face of the ground” Psalm 104). As you do this consider the impact of your lifestyle on other parts of the world.
