Some of my favourite stories and movies involve a twist or reveal at their climax. There is Fight Club, as I realise who Tyler Durden is. When I was much younger, when watching Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, as Darth Vader confesses to Luke that he is his father. And, finally as I read Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, as the travelers’ journey ends and they meet the one who has been waiting for them (no spoilers).
Stories with a twist or punchline are often easier to remember. They are also more effective when making a point. Jesus knew this and that’s why many of his parables provided twists and shocks.
In the Lectionary this weekend we have the parable of The Good Samaritan. Many of us know the story well. This is a shame because it is all too easy to miss the shock value. For an ‘expert in the Law’ to be told that his neighbour could be a non-Jew would have stopped him in his tracks. It doesn’t take long though to draw parallels with culture today and see who would make unlikely neighbours. However, we mustn’t forget to ask ourselves the same question, and look for a shocking answer - who is my neighbour?
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