Advent 2. December 10. Luke 10.

http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke+10  (Click the link to continue the story)

Sometimes people get beaten up on the way, abused, taken advantage, robbed, left for dead, ignored, and avoided.  Sometimes we are the ones getting beaten down.  Sometimes we are the ones who do the beating or the ignoring.  But we also know that when there is a need, when there is trouble or crisis, people ought to act.   We needn't act alone, but ought to seek a partner to assist us.  Otherwise, we may become overburdened and eventually grow bitter toward others who do not do what must sometimes be done.  There is more than enough pain to share.  Find partners.  Care together. 
Jesus sends people in pairs into the towns and villages he intended to go.  They are to travel light, vulnerably, and to seek out households of peace who will welcome them and offer them hospitality.  They are to be guests.  They are to treat everyone with mercy and to share one message, with those who welcome them and those who don't: the kingdom of God has come near you.  This nearness of God to them means that God has not abandoned them.   People often feel abandoned, hopeless, helpless.  Showing up reminds us that we are not alone.  It is critical to the human project that we show up for one another.  Vulnerably, openly, and willingly--even when we are not welcomed.  Jesus' people enter homes and remain there.  This is not door knocking evangelism.  (Our references to this sort of activity are Mormons, Jehovah's witnesses, and salesmen.  But this is not that.)   It is relationship-building and community formation.  Jesus is organizing the kingdom and its subjects by household.  It may be time for the 21st century Christians to imitate our 1st century ancestors.
Jesus doesn't celebrate their accomplishments with them when they return from their mission.  He reminds them that their names are written in heaven!  They already belong and their status before God is indelibly marked forever, whether they are successful or not.
The Good Samaritan story is one of the most well known of Jesus' parables, found exclusively in Luke 10.   It is a response to a legal test.  Jesus is asked what are the limits of one's obligations as a law-abiding citizen.  They question "Who is my neighbor" is also "Who is not by neighbor?' What are the boundaries of one's moral obligations?  Who resides outside of those boundaries?  Is it OK to avoid or ignore the needs of certain others?  The parable requires 1st century ethnic bias to understand the fullness of its meaning.  Samaritans and Jews were not neighborly.  There was tension, enmity, between them.  (Think Democrats and Republicans).  Samaritans were not considered good people.  It pains me to write this.  Because Jesus has to exploit this bias to make his point.  One is required to show mercy to anyone who needs mercy.  Period.  The Samaritan does not only have empathy and provide first aid to a victim of a violent roadside robbery.  He spends his own money, solicits the assistance of another person, and promises to repay any expense.  We do not know the impact he makes, whether the injured man lives.  I wonder, however, if Jesus was once that injured man.  Is this a personal story?  Is that why Jesus is antagonistic toward the religious, temple leaders and sympathetic toward outsiders?  Was he rescued by a Samaritan?
And what of the Mary and Martha story?  Another example of what the Jesus community is about.  Not about busyness, activity, or even hospitality.  Called to listen, to learn, to  a posture of receptivity.  Guests in a host culture.  What can we learn from our neighbors?  How can we show mercy toward our neighbors?  How can we bring fruitfulness to our neighborhoods?  How do we build communities of mercy and welcome that overcome our biases and prejudices?  Practice.  Go and do.  Act mercifully.  Practice.  That is the way to be on the way. 
So, here's the simple plan of action for Jesus' followers: Look for the pain. Find a partner. Go together. Travel lightly. Bring peace. Give generously. Be supportive. Don't judge those who sit one out. Love your neighbor as yourself.