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The story of the Good Samaritan is one that will form the theme for many sermons this yuletide period, as pastors and other men of God strive to drive home the point that we are in a season of love, and remind adherents of the faith to show a lot of love to other people. Some of the men of God will go a step further to remind the faithful not to show love in this season alone but let it become a habit that will transcend a show during festivities such as Christmas, rather turn it to a way of life – one that is committed to showing love to others all year round.

Sadly, this will not be the case for a significant proportion of these faithful. Many will be overflowing with acts of love till the first few weeks of January, but their inactions afterwards suggest it was some huge investment to ensure returns through the rest of the year – returns meant to be ploughed into their personal lives alone. The story of the

Good Samaritan is significant in a lot of ways in that it somewhat surrealistically points out some facts about our everyday living, but ends by suggesting a commendable way to spend our lives. It is an acknowledged fact that the road in which the traveller who was attacked – on the way from Jerusalem to Jericho – was a notorious one. In fact, the way was known as the “Way of Blood” because of the blood that was shed there by robbers on a regular. So, it was not uncommon for people to be waylaid irrespective of their nationalities.

It strikes an interesting chord to note that a cross section of people plied this route – the traveller, who was presumably Jewish, the Priest, the Levite, and of course, the Samaritan. The import of this little detail to present times is irrespective of our nationalities, positions,social status, or exposure in life, there are certain things that tie us all together. In literal terms, there are roads that we all ply. In not so literal terms, there are experiences we all share. So, here comes a bitter reality; sometimes everyone is on the same pedestal. Another significant point to this story is we are not all the same! As perfectly captured by the story, we all have different backgrounds.

Consequently, these varying backgrounds imply differences in our upbringing, exposure levels vis-à-vis education, social status, financial capacities, amongst other differences.

As also perfectly depicted in the novella by George Orwell, Animal Farm, with the famous phrase “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”, we are not all the same. Simply put, some persons are more privileged than others. Some people have and others do not. Some are above while others are beneath. Sad and unfair as it may seem, it’s just the way things are. And, according to a wise cow in some movie I saw, “The way things are are the way things are.” It is also important to note here that these differences will lead to extremes. This is evident in the distrust, dislike, and even hate felt by members of these different classes, one class to another, and even intra-class as well. The story is typical of Jesus’ provocative speeches in that the Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other.

However, in spite of the chaos stirred by the story, a better way is shown. A way in which religious, political, financial or other differences are put aside, and people simply find it natural to come to the aid of each other. One more significant thing about the story is that the events leading up to the Samaritan’s gesture did not occur on a holiday or during any festive period. This is profound. The tendencies of people to do a lot of good during festive periods, especially the Christmas period, has become a tradition in itself. People find it almost natural to do good during this period, and then do almost no good at all during other periods of the year. The point of this piece, incase it is lost on you, is that most persons around are periodic in their Good Samaritan gestures. This will get us nowhere except feed a few for the Christmas only so they can wait another 365 days for another sumptuousmeal. Sad!

That said, another chance is here again for you to do some good. A few friends of mine under the aegis of Feeding the Nation plan to feed 50,000 hungry people on December 26. This is not a call for you to do a yearly good deed, but it is hoped that if it is your habit to do good, then you do a little more, and if it is not on your list of priorities, you will include it and getting on board will trigger something in you that will turn you into a Good Samaritan all year long. To achieve this feat, 120 bags of rice, 650 cartons of turkey, 50,000 bottles of water, 100 volunteers, and other logistics are required. In monetary terms, N10,235,000 million will make this a reality. If you would like to be a part of this you can reach my friends on feedthenation@yahoo.com or call 08125793453, 07029152606. If you have been indicted, do not panic, there is redemption for you, and you can start now. Afterwards, remain a Good Samaritan all year long.