The very same kinds of things have happened or are happening all over our country. In the face of a dire emergency we come to one another’s aid, often in heroic fashion, and those who choose to refrain from helping those in distress are regarded with nothing short of contempt. Complete strangers risk injury or death to try to help another in distress. They give of their means, however meager, to assist someone who is hurt or suffering. But why? Why do we rally together in the face of extreme adversity? A biologist friend once told me it’s the human reaction to a herding instinct, but I do not think it is that simple.

We are all creatures of the same creator and we share the divine spark of life. In times of immediate hardship we are drawn to one another’s aid because we share one holy life. It is true that not everyone will participate, and it is also true that there are those who will exploit, abuse, and take advantage of those who are in trouble, sorrow, weakness or any other adversity. But those who turn a blind eye to one in need, or who seek to take advantage of those who are in danger, or are sick, or who are troubled and in want of help are far outweighed by the wealth of assistance and good will offered by the rest.

Sad to say, but the ones who choose to ignore the plight of the stranger or exploit the needs of those in trouble are most in need of help themselves since their very souls teeter on the brink of perdition. As Jesus said, “do to others as you would have done to you.”

It is a mandate we should all heed daily.

– The Reverend Dr. Michael Doty, Rector The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross