Lesson: #17 Thy Brothers Keeper Kentucky Division Chaplain: David Chaltas

Who is a good neighbor? What constitutes an act of brotherly love? Where is the Good Samaritan? On April 19, 2005, I was returning from my college class and had an irresistible urge to call my childhood friends Ronnie and Hester. The week before, Ronnie's brother was found murdered in the woods of Pennsylvania and I was concerned about him. I called his house and to my horror his brother-in-law stated that Ronnie's son Ikie had been in a terrible wreck and had been flown to Knoxville, Tennessee. I called a parson who lives in Knoxville and explained to him what had happened and asked if he would pray for the family and the young man. I notified other prayer warriors and prayed for his recovery.

The next morning I called James, the Knoxville parson, and he gave me the sad news of the passing of Ikie. The parson simply stated that he would be available as needed and to let him know if there was anything he or his wife could do. Later that day I called Ronnie and discovered something of a man and woman that I thought I knew. He told me of two strangers that came to the hospital and sought him out. The strangers came up to him and introduced themselves and asked if they could stand watch with the family members present. They also asked if they could pray with them. They prayed for healing and the recovery of the young father of three. But the worst came to pass and the young man crossed through the turbid vale around 1:30 A. M.. Then Ronnie said that the strangers who would not leave his side asked him if there was anything else he could do for him. Being the man of character that Ronnie is, he asked for prayers for his beloved wife and his son's family. Ronnie gave the strangers a message of appreciation and love for their act of kindness and compassion. For the strangers were none other than our dear Parson James Smith and his wife Sherry. They sought no reward. They wanted no recognition. They were following the principles of their God. They acted out of love.

I loved them before this tragedy occurred, but now my heart is at their beckoning call. For they did not talk of love, they demonstrated it. They were the Good Samaritans. They were the good neighbors and showed brotherly love to strangers. They led by works and showed us the great commandment of loving one another as ourselves. They are chaplains in the truest sense of the word and may we all emulate their piety and humbleness of spirit. We must lead by example and do all things out of love and compassion for our fellow man. Can we not also follow the example set forth by this couple and serve without thought of reward or recognition? Is that not what Christ did and bids us to do. Let us pray for one another, as we would do so for ourselves and remember the rule of rules: To do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Sometimes God sends an angel unaware to others and it is then that we remember He said, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you."

3:12 PM 4/22/2005