The following was written in support of Church Alive, a focus of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, that explores the meaning and possibilities of awakening to the spiritual basis and impact of Church. 

To pass by...or not

This article was also posted as the August 10, 2012, “A Christian Science perspective” column on CSMonitor.com.  

Church. Just sitting there. Maybe even enjoying the look of my new sandals when the reading of Jesus’ story caught me. Unexpectedly. The one about those who left the wounded man on the side of that dangerous road. Specifically, the man who didn’t (see Luke 10:25–37).

Sure had read it, heard it, studied it, told it—yet somehow, at that moment, the idea of passing by on the other side pointed right at me.

David’s familiar words rang true, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalms 23:4)—for right then each character’s actions became a rebuke that comforted.

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