The big switch

For months leading up to the change-over to digital format, television stations around the country tried to prepare folks for "the big switch." It would be necessary, if one didn't have an updated TV, to obtain a special converter box that would facilitate the transfer from analog to digital broadcasting. Despite repeated messages, the original "deadline" had to be pushed back because it was clear that many people weren't getting the information. Even now, months after the switch, there are folks without television service.

There's a "big switch" in one of the Gospel stories about Jesus, too. One day a scribe -- a well-educated man -- sought to undermine Christ's influence with the populace by asking, which is the greatest commandment. From his doctrinal perspective, there was no commandment greater than another. Luke’s version of this experience is a bit different from Matthew’s, where Christ's indisputable response was to love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and a second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. In Luke’s account, Jesus turns the tables on the fellow and asks him what the scriptures say about this question. The lawyer then does repeat these two great commandments. Then, seeing that he hadn't accomplished his goal of embarrassing Jesus, he pushed forward: 'Who, then, is my neighbor?' This, too, was intended to be a trick question, but Jesus answered by telling a story. It's what has become famously known as The Parable of the Good Samaritan. The story centers around an unfortunate crime victim, and the fact that two representatives of the religious establishment of that day "passed by on the other side." The person who came to the injured man's aid was a despised Samaritan. This is where "the big switch" comes in. Jesus then asked the interlocutor: 'Who do you think was neighbor to this man?' The scribe said, 'The one who showed him compassion.' And Jesus said, 'Go and do likewise.'

In other words, the issue was not, ' Who is MY neighbor,' but rather, 'Who am I to be a neighbor to?' From a faith-sharing standpoint, that's worth thinking about.