Faith Matters: Will You Cross The Road?

by Rev. Hiram L. Brett

“Faith Matters” is a column that features pieces written by local religious figures

(Opinion) — ​“Which of hese three, do you think, was neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, ​“The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, ​“Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:36 – 37 NRSV)

The preceding bible verse is the closing lines to one of Jesus’ most famous parables, which has become popularly known as the parable of the Good Samaritan. 

The parable depicts an exchange between a lawyer and Jesus. Seeking to test Jesus, the lawyer begins by asking Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus does not answer him directly but instead asks the learned lawyer, what does the law say? The lawyer replies by reciting the Shema, the most important prayer in Judaism: ​“Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” Our lawyer, not satisfied with the exchange, asks a follow-up question: ​“Who is my neighbor?” 

Jesus replies with the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the parable, a man is stranded along the road from Jericho to Jerusalem after being accosted by some robbers and left beaten, distressed and half dead. As he lay there, two men (a priest and a Levite, both high ranking officials who are his brethren) pass by him without stopping. It is only the third man, a Samaritan (an outcast and someone looked down upon), who crosses the road to help the fallen man. Not only does he help the fallen man to an inn to tend his wounds, but he pays for the man’s care and attention.

I think this parable resonates so deeply with me because once while running the New Haven Road race, I was incapacitated along the route and no one crossed the road to inquire about me or to assist. In the case of our fallen man on the road to Jerusalem, two high ranking and important members of society for various reasons chose not to cross the road to help the fallen man. It was the outcast who dared to cross the road and, in doing so, exhibited mercy and showed what it is to be a neighbor. Jesus tells the lawyer (and by extension us) to go and do likewise.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in referring to the trait shown by the Samaritan describes it as altruism — which the dictionary defines as regard for and devotion to the interests of others. The Samaritan had made concern for others a primary characteristic of his life. Dr. King indicates that the Samaritan illustrates three dimensions of altruism: universal, dangerous, and excessive. Universal in that he was able to look beyond the exterior (religion, race, status, nationality) of the suffering man. Dangerous in that he risked his own person in going to attend to attend to the man. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a dangerous road and for all he knew, he could be walking into a trap. Finally, it was excessive in that the Samaritan not only tended his wounds but he took him to shelter and left money to pay his bill. Certainly, this was a radical display of altruism.

To fully live into the beloved community, we must be willing to see our neighbor and cross the road to share our common humanity. As we look around, we can see many behaviors that blunt that effort. In our Congress, we see politicians who are unwilling to cross the road to protect rural hospitals and maintain support for vulnerable families and students. Is anyone willing to cross the road? In our cities, we see citizens unwilling to address the poverty, mass incarceration, homelessness, and gun violence that is all too commonplace. Is anyone willing to cross the road? In our personal lives, we see pride, an unwillingness to forgive, bias, jealousy and prejudice as barriers to us fully loving our family member, colleague, and neighbor. Is anyone willing to cross the road? 

In a time of increasing moral deregulation, (a rolling back on civic and ethic norms and a breakdown of moral norms and values), the admonition to cross the road to show mercy, to exhibit radical altruism; yes, to practice radical love is a force multiplier in our quest for the beloved community. Love is the most powerful force in the world, if exercised. As Rumi states, ​“love is the bridge between you and everything”. As you traverse your life’s path, I invite you to consider these questions: 

What are the roads that you will not cross?

What are the roads that you have not crossed? 

What are the roads that you are afraid to cross? 

Having then pondered, let love propel you forward over the bridge and across the road to embrace your neighbor. 

Reverend Hiram L. Brett is spiritual care coordinator and chaplain at Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) and serves as co-chair of the Committee on Ministry (COM) for the New Haven Association of the United Church of Christ. His ministry encompasses providing chaplaincy services to marginalized and vulnerable patients and families.