5th Sunday after Pentecost - Go and Do Likewise

“Go and do likewise.” These are the final words of our Gospel reading this week (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus is speaking about the Samaritan’s actions in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He could also say this of his own actions. This week God reminds us that we have received mercy from God through Jesus so that we can pass this mercy and love on to others. Sometimes that’s easy, isn’t it? When your child does well at school and comes home with an award it’s easy to shower them with love. But life’s not always joyful, and we’re not always surrounded by those we already care about. This is where Jesus’ words become the truest expression of ‘Go and do likewise.’ Jesus asks us to be HIS love, and HIS mercy all through our lives- with those we meet as strangers and with those we spend most of our time around. Just as Jesus gave everything he had to shower us with God’s mercy and love, so should we truly reflect God’s gifts to those we meet. This week, take time to ask yourself- “How can I do likewise?”

The sermon was prepared by LCA and read by John Mickin.