Are you a Good Samaritan? If you even have to ask, It's time for us to go back for remedial Love thy Neighbor Training!

Good Evening Dear Ones!

Happy Sunday or Monday depending where you are in this world of God's Today we had the parable of the Good Samaritan and that really gave me cause for pause. If you haven't seen this famous Gospel lesson in awhile let me refresh your memory:

Luke 10:25-37

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a 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."

Where are you and most importantly where are we in this parable? Are we Good Samaritans or do we  pass the person who was in trouble on the road?  This past week we have seen stories of Good Samaritans and those who have left people on the side of the road because of bias, racism, and not wanting to get our hands dirty in assisting others. I hope everyone will be putting on the garb and mien of the the Good Samaritan and not be afraid to get your hands dirty just because they are African-American, LGBTQQIA, refugee, immigrant of any stripe, Hispanic, Muslim, Law enforcement officer etc. We are God's children and we are commanded to Love our Neighbor. If you do not know who your neighbor is after the many blogs I have written, I will send you back to remedial reading of Walk With Me On Our Journey!  I think everyone needs to go back to love your neighbor basics and start anew. Tonight we are going to take a break from remembering the names of those who have lost their lives in acts of terror and violence and begin to meditate and pray for all of our neighbors and those who are nameless to us. However we are going to pray and speak their names in the main prayer section.

Let's do a short period of breathing exercises!

Be Still and Know that I am God.
Be Still and Know that I am.
Be Still and Know.
Be Still.
Be.

Breathe in God's Love
Exhale the love energy you have for your neighbor.

Lather, rinse, and repeat.

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God, we come to you needing your help to learn to become better neighbors and Good Samaritans. We light our candles and pray that we may seek to do better towards all of our neighbors no matter who they may be. We pray that we may learn to love one another in good times and in bad. We pray that we may be merciful even when we don't feel like it. We pray that we may never cross on the other side of the road to be of help to our injured neighbor. We pray that we may have the courage to get our holy hands dirty in your service to the least of these. We pray that we may be the soft place for our neighbors in which to fall even if they differ from us  We pray for peace between warring neighbors that they may find common ground and become peace makers. We pray for and end to all violence,hatred, degradation , victimization, abuse, and terror. We pray that we may open our eyes, ears, and hearts to learn what is causing our neighbors pain and fear. We pray that we may remember all of our neighbors who have lost their lives in acts of terror and violence. We remember them in our hearts those who we have been praying for and those whose names are known only to your. We pray this night for safety in our cities, countries, and homes. We pray that we may become better at loving God, our neighbors,and ourselves. We light our candles and shine a holy pathway to our neighborhood and throughout this fragile and broken world. Amen.

To love our neighbor and be a Good Samaritan we must strive each and every day to be united in heart, soul, and mind. We cannot journey on alone.

We must be one as Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are One. Divisiveness is not good at any speed or anytime.  Let us be a people who loves, gives, and wraps each other in a blanket of peace and compassion. We can do more but we certainly can't do anything less.

Let us be at prayer! If you would like you may reflect on the day past with a timer or the music of your choice. When you are ready, I invite you to pray the following intercessions

Tonight and in the week ahead, I ask that we all pray with intention for:

 Peace of the World, Conservation of God's Cathedral of Life, and Protection for our endangered species and animal kingdom.

That the Family of  God may be united in love, justice, and mercy and be as one.

For all refugees,immigrants, asylum seekers.

For all political prisoners, prisoners, and prisoners of war

For an end to human trafficking

For all who are being persecuted for their religious beliefs.

For all the LGBTQ community and people who love and accept them.

 Peace in the Middle East, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Jordan as they welcome the Refugees from Syria

 The Missing Girls in Nigeria, 

Those who suffer addiction and mental illness

  For an End to violence and oppression of any kind. Remembering Orlando, Dhaka, Istanbul, Saudi Arabia, Baghdad, St. Paul, Missouri, Baton Rouge, Dallas and all other places affected by terror and gun violence. 

For those who are are battling Cancer, chronic and autoimmune diseases, orphan and those of the memory

For those who have lost loved ones and suffered any kind of loss.

For all  Children of God who are struggling this night!

For all of those whose names are etched in sidewalks, memorial walls, or grave stones.

And especially we speak the names of:

We pray and  remember the 4000+ persons who have died by acts of lynching in our country as we speak the name of Moses York who was lynched . We remember and pray for those who have been victims of violence at the hands of law enforcement officers as we speak the names of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, and all others. We pray and  speak the names of the the Dallas 5 BRENT THOMPSON, PATRICK ZAMARRIPA,MICHAEL KROL,MICHAEL SMITH,LORNE AHRENS We pray and remember the Orlando 49 and speak their names 
Stanley Almodovar III,Amanda Alvear,Oscar A Aracena-Montero, Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, Antonio Davon Brown, Darryl Roman Burt II, Angel L. Candelario-Padro,Juan Chevez-Martinez, Luis Daniel Conde, Cory James Connell, Tevin Eugene Crosby, Deonka Deidra Drayton, Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, Mercedez Marisol Flores,Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Juan Ramon Guerrero, Paul Terrell Henry,Frank Hernandez, Miguel Angel Honorato, Javier Jorge-Reyes, Luis Daniel Conde, Cory James Connell, Tevin Eugene Crosby, Deonka Deidra Drayton, Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, Leroy Valentin Fernandez, Mercedez Marisol Flores,Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, Juan Ramon Guerrero,Paul Terrell Henry, Frank Hernandez, Miguel Angel Honorato,Javier Jorge-Reyes, Jason Benjamin Josaphat, Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, Alejandro Barrios Martinez, Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, Kimberly Morris, Akyra Monet Murray, Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, Joel Rayon Paniagua, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, Enrique L. Rios, Jr., Jean C. Nives Rodriguez,Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado,Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, Edward Sotomayor Jr., Shane Evan Tomlinson,Martin Benitez Torres, Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, Luis S. Vielma,Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, Jerald Arthur Wright. We pray and speak the name of Ulises Garcia and all those who have died at the hands of gang violence. 

For all caregivers.

For the homeless and hungry who will not be in shelters tonight, that they may be find a safe place to rest their bodies. We pray for a variety of shelters to meet their needs and recognize one-size doesn't fit all.

For all of our youth who will become the leaders of tomorrow and today.

For all of  the leaders of faith communities and our family members who they serve and provide pastoral care for. 

For our animal family members

For all those who have stress, anxiety, feat. Help them to lay down their worries and place them in the worry/Sabbath box.

For your own prayers, thanksgivings, remembrances, and celebrations.

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Good night dear family of love! I love you! You matter and I give thanks to God for you this night and always! May we all have a glorious week ahead where we put into practice loving our neighbors!

Love and lots of it and a with a warm heart with joy abounding!

Sara