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When we consider the Lord’s teaching on that greatest commandment to love God above all else and our neighbour as ourselves we suddenly find that it is not so easy, for He said we should love our enemies, do good to those who despitefully use us, show mercy and compassion. Our Lord did this. We can if we allow the spirit to drive us and lead us, we too can fulfil those virtues of Christ.
In that great parable that He spoke of the good Samaritan, it really rings true to us that we must look sincerely at those things within our lives. We know in that parable a man was journeying to go to another place, and he was fell upon by thieves, and they beat him and left him there.  Firstly a priest came by and looked and saw him, and went to the other side of the road, perhaps he thought he may be drunk, for he did not want to get involved, it was not his argument we might say. Then a Levite came, who was in control of the temple, and he should have known what the commandment of God was, and he too went to the other side of the road. Finally a Samaritan came. The Samaritans were not supposed to mingle with the Jews. The Jews looked upon the Samaritans and called them dogs because they were only half bred Jewish people. But this Samaritan, he stopped and he gave this man assistance, he patched up his wounds, he took him to the inn and he gave the innkeeper money and said to look after him until he is well, and if it takes more the next time I journey I will pay for this. Our Lord said to this Pharisee who had asked Him what he must do to find his way to the Kingdom of God, and our Lord asked him – “What were the two great commandments?”  He had said rightly so – To love God above all else, and our neighbour as ourselves. Then he asked the Lord – “Who is my neighbour?”  Our Lord gave that teaching of the Samaritan. Our Lord asked him then – “Who do you think was neighbour to this man?” The Pharisee had to answer – I suppose, he would not commit himself because he knew his conscience was already playing on him: “I suppose he who showed mercy to him.” Our Lord said – “You have said well, go and do likewise.”
We see that mercy is always coupled with love. We must at all times not allow our minds to decide who needs to be shown this mercy and love, but we allow the Spirit of God to lead us, and at all times if we are merciful one to another, if we show love to those who are not in a position to love us back we might say or to pay us back, then that is indeed the water of life flowing through the Spirit of God, and it will certainly allow the Grace of God to work within us and take us on to the Kingdom of God.
Let us again reflect on Christ’s words which are a commandment to us.  “Go, and do thou likewise”.  We must remember mercy can be shown both naturally and spiritually.  Galatians 6: 1-2 “Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”