31 August 2009
Missed Opportunities
Posted by admin1 under: Sermons .
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him (St. Luke 10: 30-33).
There was a certain woman who desired to host Jesus as her guest, the parable is told. And Jesus told him he will stop by on the appointed day. The woman cleaned her house and cooked her best meal. As she was ready making finishing touches, a ruggedy old man, knocked at her door. The man looked hungry, weary, dirty and thirsty. The woman anticipating to be her honoured guest at the door, she hurried with smile toward the door. But her anger kindled within her as she looked at this dirty old man, whom she perceived to be an inconvenience at the time. The woman chided at the man, she would not so much even listen to what he came for, let alone invite him in. She even refused him a cup of cold water.
She went on with her preparations as she was joyfully humming psalms. When she had set her table there was another knock at the door. Surely she thought that this time it must be Jesus, for it is about lunch time. “Alas” she thought in her heart with disdain as it was the lady next door with many children. “It is her again. What does she want now?” she hissed and frowned as she was approaching the door. The lady who was her neighbour stopped by asking if the woman who was expecting Jesus as her guest could share another cup of corn meal and some oil to feed her many children. But the woman refused, saying to her neighbour she too has none this time to share perhaps her neighbour should stop by month end when by chance she could have more to share. But the woman with many children perceived that her neigbour was lying because the house had a pleasant aroma of good food and the table was set and ready. She noticed the irritation in her voice and the frown on her face. She too, like the ruggesy old man turned away empty handed.
Dinner time passed and no one showed up. At bed time the woman prayed and inquired of the Lord, saying: Jesus I cleaned the house and cooked my best meal but you did not show up. Jesus answered her, I am the old man who stopped by, and when you did not recognize me because I seemed a stranger, I came in the form of your neighbour but still you received me not. The woman wept because she had expected Jesus to have a certain image and a certain look, but certainly not the look of poverty and misery. She did not know that the Jesus she expected could look so poor, dirty and needy.
Sadly this woman is us in many ways. Often we pass up opportunities to do good to others, especially when we perceive them to be of lower degree than us or think that they are strangers and may never meet them again. Yet on the same note, we go out of our way to help those who do well and are affluent. Like the rich man (St. Luke 16: 19-21) we despise those whom we perceive to be beneath us. We forget that Abraham entertained angles unawares (Hebrews 13:2).
Sometimes we miss opportunities to help others because we will be inconvenienced. We think “wrong time, wrong place and perhaps wrong people”. We make excuses why it is the wrong time to help, or how we would be persuaded to help if these were the right people or judge the situation or place to be inappropriate to help. We forget that perhaps we have been placed there at that time so we can make a difference. Helping others is a sacrifice. While it may seem like an inconvenience, because for sure for most part it is, however it is a sacrifice well pleasing to God (I Thessalonians 2:4).
No matter how many times these stories are told, and these opportunities presented yet we still make class distinction in relating and receiving people. We judge according to the flesh. For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart (I Samuel 16:7).
Apostle James writes: My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in a goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my foot stool. Are ye not partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (James 2: 1-4).
Our acts of kindness and compassion towards our neighbours, especially to those who are poor and needy, will be greatly rewarded in the life to come. For Jesus warns us saying, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did not to me” (St. Matthew 25:45). Next time when presented with opportunity to do good to someone of a lower degree, or a stranger, choose the opportunity to do good. God is merciful and kind, ever pleading with us, and always giving us another chance to do good. Do missed opportunities come back? They do. For Jesus knowing that there will be other opportunities to do good or evil told the woman “go and sin no more” (St. John 8:11).
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
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