Nougat 29

I can’t recall seeing scriptures addressing how we treat persons in distress, but perhaps today’s Holy Nougat addresses a particular pet peeve.

“Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬, ‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If I might extend Jesus’ example, I would suggest that the core challenge we face with crime and violence in our world is rooted in our attitudes towards others. So instead of ‘love my neighbor as myself’, we opt for ‘preserve myself, then love my neighbor.’ And, given its vicious cycle, one can partly understand why.

For opting to rescue the perishing could result in becoming a victim or statistic in several communities. So the culture of silence thrives and though we don’t actually say ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you’, our reactions convey a similar message. And such attitudes are breeding grounds for exacerbating criminal behavior.

Several years ago, a young lady was robbed at gun point in the middle of the day. She was in a residential and close knit community. Imagine her surprise when no one came to her rescue; yet she saw curtains moving in the houses around her. It confirmed her worst fears – she was completely alone and no one cared if she lived or died. After the incident, it is alleged that a neighbor saw everything, but remained hidden for self preservation. Not even to dial the police!

We also hear of viral rape acts on public transport – people stop long enough to record ‘live on social media’, but never thought of lifting a hand in rescue. Is it possible that the perpetrators interpret this as ‘proof’ that their actions should continue? Because the non-response is interpreted as carte blanche or that the community is cowed.

On this ‘Giving Tuesday’ I’d like to propose that even when we choose self-preservation, that we still opt for helping those in need. Whether it’s midnight bread (even if it’s a little later that we respond), rescue from abuse, pushing for increased infrastructure and shift in enforcing legislation, or providing post-abuse counseling and/or shelter.

Is this not the Love our Lord desires, that we reach the hurting in their distress? Let Christ’s light shine forth with Hope for the forsaken today and beyond.

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May all we seek be found in Christ