Celebrating Windrush Day
“Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.””
Overview
Windrush Day celebrates the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush on 22nd June 1948 bringing the first group of Caribbean migrants to Britain. The nation was suffering a labour shortage and invited migrants to resettle in the UK to help with the post-war rebuilding.
Windrush day honours the contributions of migrants to the post-war economy and to our culture and society. Today it is a day of thanksgiving for the courage, resilience, and contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants. It is also an opportunity to lament the injustices they endured and to commit ourselves to building a society where all are welcomed and valued.
Our readings today begin with God commanding us, in Leviticus 19:33-34, to treat foreigners the same as native born. God shows no partiality and we too should make distinction between people based on place of birth, heritage or skin colour, we are all neighbours.
Despite this command, the questioner in Luke 10:29-37 still asked Jesus to define “neighbour”. In reply Jesus tells the story of the good Samaritan. A story which turns the question on its head: it is the native-born Israelite who is in need of a neighbour and is healed and saved by the compassion of a foreigner.
Throughout scripture we are reminded that we need one another. We are, of course, asked to offer hospitality and welcome to the stranger and the foreigner but also to realise that are as much in need of them as they are of us. Without them we are like the man who fell among thieves and is left for dead.
FIRST READING
Leviticus 19:33-34
When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the foreigner. The foreigner who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the foreigner as yourself, for you were foreigner in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
GOSPEL
Luke 10:29-37
He asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead.
Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.
Then a Levite, came to the place and he too, when he saw him, passed by on the other side.
But then a Samaritan came across him and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine.
Then he put him on his own animal, took him to an inn, and took care of him.
The next day he gave money to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever extra you spend.’
Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
He said, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
