In the Relief Society Auxiliary Training in March, Sis. Julie Beck encouraged us to read and ponder the parable of the Good Samaritan as a pattern of how to provide relief. Since we are all members of Relief Society I would like to extend that invitation to all of us in the Salem 2nd Ward.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25-37. We know that the Savior taught in parables so that he could teach people “exactly in proportion to [their] faith and intelligence” (Bible Dictionary, pg. 740). As I studied this parable I found the first time I read it, it was just a story. The more times I read it, and the more I pondered it, I found more meaning. The following thoughts and questions are from my study. I know you will find more in your own study.
I pondered the questions of the story. There are four – two asked by the lawyer and two asked by the Savior. I asked myself these questions before and after I studied this parable and got slightly different answers the more I understood what the Savior was trying to teach.
I pondered the characters in this story: The Savior; the lawyer; the wounded traveler; the thieves; the priest; the Levite; the Samaritan; and finally, the host of the inn. In the February, 2007, Ensign there is an article discussing the early Christians belief that this parable was a symbolism for the fall of man and the Savior’s rescue of mankind through the Atonement. They taught that the inn symbolizes the Church and the innkeeper is each of us as members of the Church who are entrusted to care for the sinner until Christ returns. What did the Samaritan (or Christ) ask of the innkeeper? What did he promise him? Can this charge and these promises apply to me?
Elder M. Russell Ballard asked in his October 2001 conference address why the Savior chose the hero of this story to be a Samaritan. The Samaritans were a despised class of people to the Jews. I read this talk and asked myself, “If this parable were given today, who would the hero be? And who would the other cast of characters be? Who would I be?”
We are told at the end of the parable to “Go, and do thou likewise.” I listed the specific ways the Samaritan provided relief to the traveler. I pondered how I could improve my own efforts at helping others. This reminded me of a saying of Mother Teresa’s that Elder Oaks quoted in his last conference address. She said, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”
President Eyring gave a talk in the last Priesthood session entitled “Man Down” where he reminds us of our responsibility to help others. He discusses home teaching as a part of this. I read his talk and thought of ways I could improve my visiting teaching. I pondered the blessings promised as we faithfully , prayerfully, and lovingly help others . I thought of the blessings in my own life from wonderful visiting teachers and as I have been a visiting teacher. I resolved to do better .
Martin Luther King, Jr. once spoke about this parable and divided the characters into 3 philosophies: 1) What is thine is mine; 2) What is mine is mine - what is thine is thine; 3) What is mine is thine. It seemed to me that this could very easily describe the 3 different degrees of glory. I wondered how close I was to the third and highest degree.
I am so grateful for the Good Samaritans in my life and in the life of my loved ones. I am especially grateful for the Savior, the ultimate Good Samaritan. I am grateful for His teachings, His example, and His Atoning sacrifice for us all.
