SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS
CITY EDITOR Jim Shilander, 949.388.7700, x109 jshilander@sanclementetimes.com
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San Clemente Times, Vol. 8, Issue 51. The SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton
The Meaning of the Good Samaritan A different biblical tale carries the best Christmas message
W
hile we tend to think of our Christmas carols, frosty snowmen, little drummer boys and good shepherds, these are not actually the stories Christ taught. In fact, when reading only the words attributed to Jesus, they are often as complex as a Zen koan (a dialogue, question, or statement, which is used to provoke doubt and test wisdom). The Good Samaritan is, in many ways, one of the New Testament’s most profound parables and perhaps a Christmas carol of its own. While the Samaritan’s example is seemingly specific, there is an underlying message beneath the straightforward tale of a generous, merciful man. We know the basic story: On the road to Jericho robbers ambushed a Hebrew traveler. They beat him to a pulp, stole his money, stripped him of his clothes and then left him for dead. A Jewish priest
passed but did not help, as did a Levite (a member of the Hebrew tribe). But then a Samaritan “Saw him, he took pity on him. He bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on WAVELENGTHS his own donkey, brought By Jim Kempton him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he said to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’” OK, so a nice guy helps someone out while the rich and powerful from our own neighborhood ignore the suffering of those around them. We should follow his example. But that’s the first part of this story. Christ’s deeper meaning requires us to know who the heck the Samaritans were.
What makes this selfless act of assistance significant is that Samaritans (inhabitants of Samaria) were sworn enemies of the Israelites. In today’s world they were like Belfast Catholics and Ulster Protestants, Iranian Shiites and Iraqi Sunnis, Compton Crips and South Central Bloods. They were not just guys from a different country or tribe. They hated one another, like the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s. Tutsis and Hutus. Greeks and Turks. White supremacists and Mexican mafia. Israelis and Palestinians. That did not stop the Good Samaritan’s altruistic response to another human being’s suffering. He was compassionate to an enemy. And this is the more profound exhortation from Jesus. It’s easy enough to help our friends, family and even our neighbors. But showing kindness to a detested adversary? That was why Jesus used
Letters to the Editor MY FIRST SAN CLEMENTE CHRISTMAS R. C. PRICE, San Clemente
I always wondered what Christmas would be like in San Clemente. For almost 30 years, my family religiously crammed into one of a series of minivans and trundled over to the coast for a summer break from life in the dry and dusty Sonoran Desert. And for almost 30 years, my wife and I would end each visit with a commitment— that one day, some way, somehow, we’d come to San Clemente and stay. Well, I guess the Good Lord was willing and the tides didn’t rise, because this summer, we made it. And now, as our stay digs ever deeper into December, I’m down at the Pier nearSan Clemente Times December 19-25, 2013
a Samaritan to make his point. In the global village, all people are our neighbors. After he had finished telling the parable, Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The scribe answered, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said, “Go, and do likewise.” May the wisdom of the Prince of Peace be with us all in 2014. Jim Kempton hopes a Good Samaritan finds all those suffering and in need this Christmas season. And while falling far short himself, he hopes for peace and good will toward all men. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.
YOU’RE INVITED!
ly every night, basking in the quiet beauty of this magnificent little bowl-shaped village, buffeted by the reliable rumble of the never-ending surf and loving every minute of it. The lifeguard tower glows through the night, decked out in those good old king-sized colored lights, made back in the good old days, back when a bulb was a bulb. The wonderful clock tower is bedecked in strings of still more colored lights. The time of night still shows through, barely, but doesn’t count for a whole lot. Just up the hill, the town tree, resplendent in its glow and perfectly Christmas Tree-shaped (most such holiday trees are not). And on we go, all the way to the top of Del Mar, amidst the light-pole wreaths, the festive store windows, the casual
wining and dining of the many others who know the marvel of this particular dot on the globe. But what’s most amazing of all is the quiet, the sheer solitude afforded the handful of us who would walk the Pier in the evening hours, braving an occasional stiff ocean breeze and even a little bit of a drizzle, here and there. The stars shine down benignly from the western sky, gathered around the smiling moon like a celestial choir surrounding its jovial conductor. Back down on Earth, the wondrous twinkle of Dana Point to the north, and, at sunset, Catalina—and sometimes even San Clemente Island—putting in at least a shadowy appearance. The stillness is simply entrancing, broken only by the steady approach of another night train—no “Polar Express,”
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8 a.m. Friday, December 20
at Café Calypso New Assistant City Manager Erik Sund will be the guest at this week’s event. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Jim Shilander. All are welcome. Chat will be held nearly every Friday (except the Friday after Christmas) for the remainder of the year.
just a nocturnal Surfliner ambling up and down the coastline—a quick flurry of rumble that fades into the darkness quicker than you can count the cars. But first and foremost, now and forever, (Cont. on page 10) www.sanclementetimes.com