Everything in Between: Stranger and Neighbor

This Lent we focus on “everything in between,” exploring the complexities and tensions between opposing concepts, like “good” and “evil,” and how these binaries often limit our understanding of the world. Today we look at the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke to challenge traditional ideas of neighborliness, calling us to embrace compassion not only toward those we consider friends but also toward those we might view as enemies or strangers. It invites us to rethink how we categorize people and encourages empathy and hospitality, illustrating the importance of seeing beyond divisions to build deeper connections with others. Through personal stories and reflections, the sermon emphasizes the power of grace, care, and community in transforming relationships and fostering a more inclusive, compassionate world.