This morning’s New Testament reading, according to the lectionary of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer, brings us into a conversation among Scribes and Pharisees who are disturbed by the company Jesus is keeping. “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners,” they ask. But Jesus lets them know that they have missed the point of his earthly ministry entirely, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners.”

We enter the story of the Good Samaritan with the dialogue of Jesus and the lawyer. This well-educated lawyer was steeped in Jewish law, but he had never met anyone like Jesus. This rabbi had done miracles, drew crowds, and alienated the religious establishment. The lawyer wanted to test him.

I have not always been an Anglican, but my heartbeat has been connected to the Nations ever since I can remember. As a teenager, I made a faith pledge to God: Go anywhere, Do anything, Speak to anyone, Give anything I have to make Jesus known. God really took me up on that commitment, and my escapades for Jesus commenced.…