You might wish to show this animation of the gospel reading today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGdqKWTSXdU

or a movie clip on the text:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMkOj_tCPnw

SERMON NOTES on Luke 10:25-37

I was sitting in the dank and dirty North Station in Boston (before it was remodeled) and the train going to Cape Ann was late.  That dreary place was the residence of many a homeless person who tried to catch a few winks of sleep before the police shooed them out periodically.  Adding to the miserable situation, just a few feet on my right, the smell of liquor reeked from the beggar on the floor.  I was quite relieved when a beautifully dressed woman sat next to me on the bench.

The beggar started to stand, yelling obscenities at a person who walked past him without throwing a bill or two into his hat.  As he reached for his crutch that was leaning against the column, he staggered and fell face first on the hard tile floor. I confess that I didn’t move to help the bleeding man….afraid to leave my luggage….and frankly, more than a little afraid of the man himself, but that didn’t deter my bench companion.  Without  any hesitation, she jumped to his aid, totally oblivious to the fact that her Louis Vuitton luggage was susceptible to theft.  She helped him to his feet and wiped the blood away with her scarf.

I’ve never forgotten that moment in time.  It has stayed with me.  For I was in seminary and my luggage was a K Mart special brand, yet, just like that priest in the Good Samaritan….I ignored someone who needed help.  The shame of that  in-action has stayed with me through all these years.

He was my neighbor.

Unfortunately, mine was not just some singular case, exemplified by the video on the lack of Good Samaritans…..news stories:  Click on……

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4uVTdTXu4E

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I have no doubt that I donate my time at soup kitchens and homeless shelters when I can, because of that shame-filled afternoon. ……….

The following book is the story of a Good Samaritan who did help and what we all can do to help the homeless situation in the United States!    by Phillip K. Tompkins

To purchase the book from Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=who+is+my+neighbor+by+tompkins&x=14&y=16

Despite the challenges the recession has brought the Denver homeless community, Denver Road Home has been able to accomplish many of its goals. Over the past four years, the initiative has developed 1,243 new units of housing for the homeless, helped 3,278 homeless people receive employment assistance, and aided 957 families that received eviction notices.

And while Denver homeless numbers have increased over the past year, certain homeless related emergency services have gone down. Police calls about panhandling incidents are down 13 percent from 2005, and the overall jail costs for homeless people have dropped from $10,315,360 to $7,143, 015 over the past three years.

“We would hope that those 1,500 units of housing we’ve created have some direct impact in terms of those expensive emergency services,” the head of the program said. “There has never been a more important time for Denver to have a plan to end homelessness.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrPDVtxyiBk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYMaJeYwkRY

The United States Conference of Mayors stated that the main cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing.

The three next primary causes are:

mental illness or the lack of needed services,

substance abuse and lack of needed services.

low-paying jobs. 

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  An article about a tent city in Fresno, California

These families never needed help before,” said Larry Haynes, executive director of Mercy House in Santa Ana, Calif. “They haven’t a clue about where to go, and they have all sorts of humiliation issues. They don’t even know what to say, what to ask for.”

Many start off camping out in cars, particularly in warmer places.

“We’ve seen a rise in people sleeping in their cars,” said Rick Cole, city manager in Ventura, Calif., which recently allowed car-camping in designated areas. “Some are foreclosed former homeowners, and some couldn’t afford their rent. People will give up their house before they give up their car.”

Those with means try to rent homes or apartments, though tainted credit often makes that impossible. Growing numbers are landing in motels that rent by the week, cramming whole families into single rooms and using hot plates as kitchens. But as unemployment expands, many are losing the wherewithal to remain.

Many take refuge with families and friends, occupying extra bedrooms, basements and attics. But such hospitality rarely lasts.  So, as lean times endure and paychecks disappear, homeless shelters are absorbing those who have run out of alternatives.

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Although many churches have responded to the plight of the homeless, the United States still leads the first world countries in the largest percentage of homeless people!  What can we do to help?  One statistic stated that children now count for 43% of the homeless! 

We all need to help….we must help. They are our neighbors!

What could all the churches in your city or town accomplish? Shouldn’t you try?

Think About It!