for all I know, the person before me
the one in the ditch, in the gutter
the person in need, hurting
the one I would call unclean
this could be my Savior
for Christ is my neighbor
whoever here on earth
all of sacred worth
the scripture expressing
a judgment before me
the Levite, the scribe
the law, the Pharisee
what we value,
of limited importance
how we offer grace
all that really matters
when we come before God
Edited November 2, 2013
“Christ is my neighbor –
v4”
July 12, 2013
Christ is my neighbor
Luke 10:29-37
cover art of the July-August,
2013
Upper Room Devotional
“Good Samaritan”
Artist: Stephen Sawyer
(USA, Contemporary)
Interpreter: Mona
Bagasao-Cave
with Christ’s and her
question, “who is my neighbor?”
seen July 12, 2013
&
email sent to artist
Stephen Sawyer 7/12/13:
“I just got a large print copy of The Upper Room
for July and August with your painting as the cover art. I am working on poems
inspired by it and wondered if you would be willing to answer a couple of
questions about it. Did you read Mona Bagasao-Cave's interpretation? Is it
consistent with what you wanted to convey?
Also, I noticed that the painting showed both the men clothed
and that no blood was shown. Was that intentional and, if so, why did you show
the victim clothed?
Also, I feel that the victim looks about the age of Jesus and
very much like several images of Christ. Was that intentional as well?
It is drawing me to answer Mona's question as if the victim is
Jesus and Jesus is my neighbor, much like the sheep and goats judgment in
Matthew 25:31-46. She asked us to put ourselves into the image but I see
myself, as one of the others, who might have been too busy to stop.
Finally, there is a softness about the victim, which made me
think of a gay man I know, who often wore that type of shirt. Could you have
been including that quality to the victim?
Lots of questions I know, but a wonderful painting to generate
such. Thank you. Ray Foss, Poetry Where You Live, www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com”.
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me
at Ray Foss
for usage. See all 26,300+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
