“You can’t force someone to be a good Samaritan.” Those words were spoken by Constable Liz Newton of the Ontario Provincial Police in a news article relating to an incident that happened in Springwater Ontario earlier in the month.

After a car carrying two teenagers crashed and caught on fire, witnesses took photos and videos to post on social media instead of helping the teens get out of the burning car. I wonder if they realized the same devices they were using to chronicle the event could have been used to call for help?

In the original story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus made the same observation that you can’t force people to be a Good Samaritan. So, those who were busy with their phones were no different from those who ignored the injured traveller in Jesus’ story. I wonder how many people who were reading the news article even knew what a Samarian was, good or bad?

The police officer went on to state, “No charges have been filed as the inaction of the bystanders is not ‘necessarily’ a criminal act.”

And she was correct. While we can’t be forced to be Good Samaritans, that is exactly what Jesus is asking us to be.

Have a great week and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.