Questions from the Bible, Part Two: ‘Which of these was his neighbor?’
The most enjoyment I receive from visiting my wife at her caring community is talking to the others who are there with her.
I try to make friends with all the aides. Some of them were born overseas. Several of them have interesting stories. More than one lives a challenging life. All of them do work I couldn’t do.
I enjoy a warm relationship with several of the nurses who so often go beyond nursing duties to visit with patients or help the aides with their long list of tasks.
I’ve made friends with several of those who visit their loved ones there. They live with a sadness we all share. Their faithfulness to their spouse or parent is a great example to me.
And the residents—I dearly love several of the residents. When I can get a positive word or a laugh or a smile from one of them, it makes my day.
Of course, I’m glad to see Evelyn. Don’t misunderstand. I spend my time with her, not flitting around the halls talking with others. But I’ve discovered she often responds better to a group conversation than my efforts at one-on-one with her. When I indulge my extrovert tendencies with others in her presence, I believe she’s served too.
His question
All these people at Artis Senior Living—none of whom I knew just a little over four months ago—have the potential to qualify as answers to the question a lawyer asked Jesus.
“Just who is my neighbor?” he wanted to know, hoping to feel good about himself after the conversation.
Jesus answered with a story that has become legendary, capped off with his own question for the lawyer. About the characters in this parable, Jesus asked, “Which of these three proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”
The answer was obvious to the lawyer. “The one who showed him mercy,” he said.
And perhaps Jesus’ response will convict each of us: “You, go, and do likewise.”
My answer
So where can I show mercy? One answer is easy. I can show mercy to the folks I encounter at the place where my wife is living.
In recent years, so many have shown so much mercy to Evelyn and me: serving us, feeding us, listening to me with unquenchable patience. They’ve made us their neighbors.
And so I feel compelled to show whatever mercy I can to the long-suffering staff members who serve Evelyn every day. I can thank them for their service. I can be patient with their mistakes. I can respect their time when I have a request or concern.
I can show mercy to spouses and children of residents at Artis. I can listen to their stories. I can ask about their loved ones. I can show I care.
And I can show mercy to those living with Evelyn: when they ask questions I can’t answer, start sentences they can’t complete, or demonstrate behaviors they don’t understand.
When I think of every person at Evelyn’s memory care center as my neighbor, I’m one step closer to showing the mercy Jesus was talking about. And that may be the most significant goal I could achieve this week.
Read: Luke 10:25-37
Pray: Thank you, Lord, for your abundant mercy I understand so well because I’ve experienced it from the hands of others who love you. Help me be a channel of your mercy in the lives of those I meet this week.
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