It is a story told in the homes across this great land. It may be the most unpopular concept in all of our culture. Most people are overwhelmed and confused by the complex realities of living in a global, multicultural community. People feel insecure and unsure of how to live in this “new world” full of attitudes and controversies that have projected themselves into our nation. The following is a story about the most unpopular concept in the world today.

A politician as the pastor, “What should I do that is good and right in our culture?” The pastor said, “And, what do you think is important?” The politician said, “I want to be true to my office and the people I have been elected to serve.” The pastor said, “Do this and you will serve well and serve your neighbors and constituents.” But the politician, wanting to justify himself said, “And who are my neighbors.”

The pastor said, “Let me tell you a story.” There was a certain man going from the Rio Grande River up to McAllen. On his journey along a small, dusty road he was attacked by robbers and thugs along the border of Texas. These evil men stripped him, beat him, and left him half dead. A very religious man happened to be going down the same road when he saw the man. He thought, “This might be a trap.” So, he went to the other side of the road and passed the man by. Likewise, a Mexican-American was walking along the same road. He saw the man and passed to the other side of the road, because he thought, “This is none of my business.” A Gringo (Caucasian American) was also passing that same road late in the day. He saw the beaten, half dead man and went to the other side of the road to avoid any contact, because he had urgent business to take care of.

Now an illegal immigrant from Mexico had just crossed over the Rio Grande to work in the citrus orchards to work so he could have money to feed his wife and children who lived in Labadoros, Mexico. He was walking up this road and saw the half dead man. He stopped and looked at him. The injured man was bleeding from his eyes and mouth; he had bruises and cuts all over his body. This illegal immigrant took some salve out of his plastic garbage bag, the tore some T-Shirts he had brought with him and bandaged up the injured man’s wounds. He then carried the man to a small house up the road. He knocked on the door and an elderly widow came to the door.

The illegal immigrant told her his situation, concerning the work, and this man he found on the road. He asked her if she would care for the man until he came back in 3-4 weeks. She said, “I am here alone and I would be happy to care for this poor soul.” The illegal immigrant took out 2 Twenty Dollar Bills and gave them to her. He said he would pay her for any expenses she might incur on his way back through.

The pastor asked the politician, “Now which of these three men do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of those thugs?” The politician said, “Why of course, the illegal immigrant.” The preacher said to the politician, “Go and do likewise and you will serve your constituents and neighbors well.”

End of story…Look at this column next week and see the interpretation and meaning of this story.