My friend Lee made a good point on my blog about Christian Unity. He quoted Jesus story of the Good Samaritan as an example of Christ call to live our faith, not just believe or say the right words. I think if Christians put more emphasis on “following Jesus” and less on “believing in Jesus” there would far greater Christian Unity.
The fourth Thursday of every month, our Hillside team hosts a community fellowship event. It is generally some sort of pot luck with Embrace providing the main course. We celebrate birthdays, play games and just have fun with the team of Hillside residents who volunteer with us throughout the month. However, the highlight of these fellowship events is always welcoming new leaders onto our leadership team. In February, it was Windell’s turn to be inducted onto the team. I have never seen anyone smile as big as Windell did when Janie pulled his official Embrace Richmond t-shirt over his head and he got a big embrace from both Janie and I. He then went to his neighbor Debra, and gave her a big hug and said, “Thank you for telling me about Embrace Richmond. This has been such a blessing to me!”
I sat and listened as Debra sang Windell’s praises. She shared how she had been ill recently and how Windell came to her house every day to check on her. How he went to the pharmacy and got her some medicine and went to the grocery store for her and how he came by regularly to lift her spirits. She also shared that Windell did this for many people in the community. In a community where most residents have been taught to stay to themselves, Windell is going against the cultural tide and breaking down walls of isolation that separate neighbors from one another.
While most people have images of gun wielding thugs when they think about Hillside Court, I have images of all the Windell’s who are just trying to make their community the best it can be. In the nearly two years we have been walking the streets of Hillside, praying for the community, gathering the residents, and helping them tackle some of the challenges they face as a community, I have met a number of people like Windell. They are people who choose to do the right thing, not for money, not for fame or glory, but just because it is the right thing to do. They are people who simply want to be a “good neighbor.”
When asked, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
We spend a lot of time in the church talking about and learning practices to help us live the first part of Jesus reply, “loving God.” However, we spend very little time learning how to be good neighbors. You might recall that Jesus was asked in Luke 10:29, “Who is my neighbor?” Rather than give a simple answer to this question, Jesus replied
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denariiand gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’”
The part of this story that always speaks to me is that it was not the religious leaders who actually lived the religious teachings, but someone who was not even a part of the Jewish faith. When I look at Windell, I see the good Samaritan. I have no idea what Windell’s religious beliefs are, but he obviously lives out the second half of the Great Commandment better than most of us.
This month, Patrice officially joined the team. Patrice is featured in the picture above standing next to me. You may remember Patrice’s name from my post a few months back. She is the one who stepped up during our listening meeting on safety to lead a team dedicated to supporting Hillside families. Since that day, Patrice has worked hard to fulfill the commitment she made that day. Like Windell, Patrice simply seeks to be a good neighbor and honestly she puts me to shame.
If asked, “What is the role of the suburban church when it comes to under-resourced urban communities?” I think Jesus would answer, “to be a good neighbor.” The Samaritan addressed the emergency need of the man on the road and then insured that he would be well cared for by the innkeeper. In the same way, we are to help people in crisis but also to support the innkeepers who can provide ongoing care and support to those in need. In other words, we are to help insure people like Patrice and Windell have what they need to be successful in caring for those who have been deeply wounded in their community.
Windell and Patrice both serve as “Care Leaders.” Care Leader’s are kind of like “innkeepers.” They look out for the people in their part of the Hillside community and they basically model for the rest of the community what it looks like to be a good neighbor. We are honored to have such an amazing care team.
A few weeks ago, two more young people were gunned down in Hillside court. For the first time, I actually knew the families of both the victims. Among the first people to visit the families were members of the care team. In a community with so much pain and heart break, there are these “Samaritans/innkeepers” in the mix and it makes my heart rejoice. I can’t wait to see who God raises up next!
Wendy McCaig 