Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
This wonderful poem was written by Robert Frost; it is called the Road Not Taken but is more widely known as the Road Less Traveled. How beautifully Frost captures the belief that taking that road less traveled can make a difference.
Many of us have dared to take those roads less traveled in our lives. The variety of these journeys have possibly opened new opportunities for us and introduced us to so many other people on their journey too. And sadly, perhaps many of us dare not, and take the easier, well worn roads that seem safer and provide little opportunity to reach out to others.
As people of faith, which road to we choose to travel? Are we on life’s journey following the safe and antiseptic road the world asks us to follow, or do we seek the road less traveled, following Christ to a destination far superior than any place we have ever been to in this life?
Today’s Gospel, well known as the Good Samaritan Gospel, is as much about the road as it is about our neighbor. Many people have commented on this famous road we hear about today; the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. This road was a dangerous road for many reasons. Jerusalem stands 2300 feet above sea level, Jericho, near the Dead Sea, is some 1300 feet below sea level. This dramatic change in elevation occurs in about a distance of 20 miles. It is also narrow, rocky, has sharp curves and wicked turns. And it was a haven for robbers and a risk for travelers. Our traveler today took few precautions and fell victim to crime. Jesus tells us of a priest and Levite who see the victim but hurry along without helping him. Then the Samaritan, filled with pity, takes care of our wounded traveler. What is amazing about this story is that Jews and Samaritans had nothing to do with each other. There was racial hatred among these peoples and the Jews considered Samaritans unclean. Yet this Samaritan sees not a Jew but one who needs his help. He acts alone and he pays the innkeeper with his own money. The Samaritan saw, on this road less traveled, not a man different from himself, but his neighbor.
This parable is a lesson for us today. What roads are we traveling on and who are the neighbors we encounter? Are we ok with being neighbor among our own? What about those different from us? Are we prepared to be neighborly to those who travel the same roads as we do? What about those whose journey is on roads much different and distant from our own?
We have faced so many challenges in our lifetime. We have lived with racism, the lack of respect for unborn children, the inhumane treatment of immigrants, documented and undocumented across the world and intolerance to those of different faiths that is so un-Christian.
Who is my neighbor? What road do they travel? Perhaps the best way I can describe it is to quote Mother Teresa:
Jesus is the Hungry - to be fed.
Jesus is the Thirsty - to be satiated.
Jesus is the Naked - to be clothed.
Jesus is the Homeless - to be taken in.
Jesus is the Sick - to be healed.
Jesus is the Lonely - to be loved.
Jesus is the Unwanted - to be wanted.
Jesus is the Leper - to wash his wounds.
Jesus is the Beggar - to give him a smile.
Jesus is the Drunkard - to listen to him.
Jesus is the Mental - to protect him.
Jesus is the Little One - to embrace him.
Jesus is the Blind - to lead him.
Jesus is the Dumb - to speak for him.
Jesus is the Crippled - to walk with him.
Jesus is the Drug Addict - to befriend him.
Jesus is the Prostitute - to remove from danger and befriend her.
Jesus is the Prisoner - to be visited.
Jesus is the Old - to be served.
Mother Teresa went on to say that we can not say we love God but not our neighbor. She even quotes St. John who said to believe this makes us a liar. Mother continued, how can you love God, whom you do not see, and not love your neighbor, whom you do see?
The road from Jerusalem to Jericho is like many roads we travel on everyday, on our own spiritual journey. It may be the road less traveled, but it is a road where we will encounter those in need, including those who are different from us. To reach our ultimate destination on our journey, we are called to be Christ to our neighbor.
Two roads converged on my spiritual journey; one seems safe; say my prayers, go to Church and stay with my loved ones who love and protect me. The other road on my spiritual journey looks less worn, prayer and Church yes, but those whose hands reach out to me in need. And only I, acting as Christ did, can help them.
I’ll take this road less traveled…
And that has made all the difference.
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