Trinity 7 14th July 2013

In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus teaches us to identify and serve people’s needs where they are, to make a difference to them and to keep on the case.

The Samaritan, unlike the priest and Levite, had his eyes on the world around him and the call of that beaten up man. The priest and Levite were strict legalists. Like that community police man who let a boy drown because he had not done health and safety training they went by their ritual law book which said you’d be made unclean if you touched a corpse. They left the man for dead.

The Samaritan, a religious outsider, obeyed a higher law than religion, the law of God and of common humanity. He met the man’s needs. He made a difference, 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.

Furthermore the hero of the tale kept on his case. 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.”

The parable speaks about our mission calling as followers of Jesus.

We are called to identify people’s needs and go serve them. Serve them not on our terms but theirs. Serve them without getting in the way of what’s best for them. Serve them also with a view to their ongoing welfare.

We have a big vision as a church – God’s glory and the salvation of the world – but we have a tight focus expressed in our Mission Action Plan or MAP as: to grow in faith, love and numbers.

What must I do to inherit eternal life? …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 neighbour as yourself.

In today’s Gospel Jesus gives us the big vision and illustrates it in a focussed example. This morning we are reminded of St Giles’ aspiration to serve that same vision with its own particular focus. Like the Good Samaritan we are keeping on the case.

In particular we are set on using the Martindale to serve our new MAP in engaging villagers with St Giles. Already it’s a hub of parish life but we want to make it more of a Christian focus. From September we’ll be having a monthly last Sunday service at 5 o’clock starting 29^th September. Another initiative builds on the beautiful view we've now got in the main hall. We’re holding a quiet day there on 28^th September which will be attended both by trainee diocesan readers and by any church members or parishioners who wish to join in.

So far as social engagement goes the PCC is working initially through the P&P deliverers to help St Giles engage more fully with isolated people in our community, especially those who would appreciate occasional visits from the Church.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus taught us to identify and serve people’s needs where they are, to make a difference to them and to keep on the case. When it comes to the action we’re planning in the coming months for outreach we can be inspired by the example of the Good Samaritan to see from God what’s needed and to be generous in providing for it with an ongoing commitment.

The Lord bless us through this eucharist as we express our love for him! The Lord guide us, individually in the coming week and corporately in the coming months, as we seek better expression of love for him and for our neighbours faithful to the calling he has for us as his Church.