【双语灵修】帮助人的方法(1) Ways To Help (1)

撒玛利亚人慈爱怜恤,毫不吝惜地供应了受伤的旅客那一刻的需要。

【双语灵修】帮助人的方法(1) Ways To Help (1)

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“‘〔他〕上前 … 在他的伤处,包裹好了 …。’” - 路 10:34

“给人一条鱼,他们只能吃一天;教他们捕鱼,他们一生也有鱼吃。”这句众所周知的谚语,能帮助我们从不同的角度来回应贫穷的问题。这取决于环境和所要面临的是短期或是长远的需要,这里提到的两个办法都是适用的。

在好撒玛利亚人的比喻中,耶稣阐释了“给人一条鱼”这个办法。撒玛利亚人慈爱怜恤,毫不吝惜地供应了受伤的旅客那一刻的需要。他为这人包裹伤口,他那时并没有关注这条路是否应该建立有比较好的公共安全设施!

有时人们需要的只是一块裹伤口的绷带。在冬天,当城中的气温骤降至冰点以下、露宿者之家呼吁人们捐赠手套和袜子,这是一个要求我们立刻回应的需要。同样,当风暴摧毁孟加拉国一个社区、居民无家可归,缺水断粮时,提供短期的援助来救人一命也是非常重要的。

每当有自然灾害发生时,世界各地的人都会回应灾害后果带来的需要,我为这些慷慨援助的人们感谢神。然而,用绷带裹伤口固然重要,但它只能满足暂时的需要。怜悯穷人并决心消除贫穷,可能要求我们做比这些更多的事。

祷告

主啊,像撒玛利亚人那样,我们希望能以爱心对待有需要的邻舍。求你帮助我们慷慨和智慧地回应你给我们的机会。奉基督祈求,阿们。

路加福音 10:25-37

25有一个律法师起来试探耶稣,说:“夫子,我该做什么才可以承受永生?”
26耶稣对他说:“律法上写的是什么?你念的是怎样呢?”
27他回答说:“你要尽心、尽性、尽力、尽意爱主你的神,又要爱邻舍如同自己。”
28耶稣说:“你回答的是。你这样行,就必得永生。”
29那人要显明自己有理,就对耶稣说:“谁是我的邻舍呢?”
30耶稣回答说:“有一个人从耶路撒冷下耶利哥去,落在强盗手中。他们剥去他的衣裳,把他打个半死,就丢下他走了。
31偶然有一个祭司从这条路下来,看见他,就从那边过去了。
32又有一个利未人来到这地方,看见他,也照样从那边过去了。
33唯有一个撒马利亚人行路来到那里,看见他,就动了慈心,
34上前用油和酒倒在他的伤处,包裹好了,扶他骑上自己的牲口,带到店里去照应他。
35第二天拿出二钱银子来,交给店主说:‘你且照应他,此外所费用的,我回来必还你。’
36你想,这三个人哪一个是落在强盗手中的邻舍呢?”
37他说:“是怜悯他的。”耶稣说:“你去照样行吧。”

Ways To Help (1)

"He went to him and bandaged his wounds. . . ." - Luke 10:34

A well-known proverb helps us think about different ways to respond to poverty: “Give a person a fish, and they will eat for a day. Teach them how to fish, and they will eat for a lifetime.” Both approaches can be appropriate, depending on the circumstances and whether they involve short-term or long-term needs.

In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus illustrates the “give a fish” model. The Samari­tan responds compassionately and generously to the immediate needs of the wounded traveler. He bandages the man’s wounds and doesn’t concern himself, for now, with whether the roadway should have better security!

Sometimes a bandage is what is needed. When winter temperatures in our city plunge far below freezing and homeless shelters beg for mittens and socks, that’s a need calling for an immediate solution. Similarly, when a cyclone tears up a community in Bangladesh and people are left homeless and without food and water, short-term relief is vital for saving lives.

I thank God for the generosity of people everywhere who respond to needs that arise from natural disasters. And yet bandages, while necessary, are temporary. Compassion for the poor and a commitment to overcome poverty can require more.

Prayer

Lord, like the Samaritan, we long to show love to our neighbors in need. Help us to be generous and wise in the opportunities you present to us. In Christ, Amen.

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