Love Better

Last Sunday at worship we celebrated love and looked at the story Jesus told about the ‘Good Samaritan.’  After telling people to love God and love others as we should love ourselves Jesus used the example of the Good Samaritan to describe how we are to love and care for others.  When I asked people of all ages to share how they would characterize the Good Samaritan, children, youth and adults gave a wonderful array of answers including:  generous, compassionate, non-judgmental, caring, determined, not defined by social standards, faithful, and inclusive.   One of the things I so appreciate about Pilgrim members and friends, is that I see so many of these characterizations being demonstrated in very practical ways.  Although many of the characterizations listed are counter cultural in today’s world, I hope and pray we challenge ourselves to be Great Samaritans who love God so we can love ourselves and others better.  Let’s nurture an environment where everybody knows they have a place where they belong and are loved.