Failing the test

I read a story once about a class of seminary students who were given an assignment to preach on the Good Samaritan. The story about how people passed someone who was in need. Many of the people who passed this person in need were from the same tribe. The person that finally stopped to help was a person from another tribe, the Samaritans.

As they were on their way to deliver their sermons, they raced across campus. Their professor had arranged for someone posing to be in need to be ask them for help as they were going to class. Fearing they would be late, none stopped to help. When they got to class all delivered superb sermons. Theologically sound, supported by wonderful anecdotes and quoting all the major theologians and even a few contemporary figures. When the professor got up at the end of the sermons, he announced that they had all failed the assignment. Addressing the shocked group of seminary students, he explained what he had done. All hung their heads in shame. They knew the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan inside out, but given the real world opportunity to act on it, they failed.

As Christians we must realize that our faith is not abstract. Its not a code written on a piece of paper to be memorized. It is surely to be memorized, but most importantly it should be acted upon. Knowing the Gospel does no good if you don't put it into practice, work out your faith. So today, put your faith to work. Look for someone who is in need. A neighbor who needs a hand. An elderly person who needs companionship. A young couple who needs financial help. Our world races around us most of the times. Often we find that 24 hours is just not sufficient. But let's not be in such a hurry that we pass by a person in need whose burdens we could help lighten.