Yesterday, I wrote about how certain things and events have burned themselves into my memories. Normally, they're tucked neatly away, but sometimes they come the surface. This week, some have bubbled up as we look to Haiti and the strife they're experiencing now. The people of the United States are the most charitable people on earth, and it's been said that those of us in The Magnolia State are the most charitable in the nation.
Aside from any direct donations that Mississippians may be giving to support recovery efforts in Haiti, the state itself is preparing an offering of resources to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as they have requested information from the various states. Many states have a host of rescue, medical, and mortuary assets that could be deployed. I'm on a field medical hospital team that is designed for just such events. Since we've been put on standby, there's been a lot of conversation back and forth among the members. I've been in the conversation, and have expressed my concerns about entering such an unstable environment. Today, though, I've had time to think a little more, and have come to a conclusion.....
In the Book of Luke, a religious leader asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus replied “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “ 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus started the story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A levite walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
My conclusion about Haiti? They are our neighbors.
We may look to their lawlessness, their burning of bodies, their lack of leadership following this tragedy. Jews once looked at Samaritans in the same light...like people of a third-world country who cannot fend for themselves. Many Jews would have turned away from the injured man and deemed him unfit for their help.
I doubt seriously we'll be requested for any deployment. But if we are, I'll keep the story of the Good Samaritan in mind. We've been blessed with the ability to help, and we should.
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