This week's news 

The recent ousting of the democratically-elected Mohammed Morsi, has plunged Egypt into turmoil. After the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak during the Arab Spring, it was hoped that the country’s newly elected President could restore prosperity and democracy to this huge North African country. However, these recent events appear to mirror the situation in Syria, where a civil war-like scenario is tearing the  nation apart. In both instances, the West has debated whether it should play a decisive role in these situations to avert further bloodshed and chaos.

The body count continues to mount in Egypt. 

The UK pledges £10m to Lebanon after the Syrian refugee influx.

Labour leader, Ed Milliband, continues his battle with the trade unions over the direction of the Labour Party.

Victories for Andy Murray at Wimbledon and the British and Irish Lions in rugby union has brought much needed sporting cheer to the nation.

The battle for the cricket Ashes between Australia and England begins in earnest.

Reflection

The growing crisis in Egypt has led to the inevitable calls for western leaders to consider a ‘response’ to the chaos. Egypt, because of its size and location, plays an important geo-political role in the Middle East. Western politicians have long asserted that a stable, democratic Egypt is vital for any resolution to the Israel/Palestine conflict, and the curtailment of religious militancy in the region. 

The debates about the rights and wrongs of intervention are many and varied, and require the Wisdom of Solomon to settle. Politicians of all political persuasions constantly grapple over ‘doing the right thing’ on this matter, usually weighing up the humanitarian and altruistic aspects against those of pragmatism and vested interests.  

Any form of intervention is never straight forward and not without its consequences. For instance, does providing ‘assistance’ mean weapons? If so, what if these weapons fall into the wrong hands? Moreover, what if assistance leads to ‘mission creep; that is, our troops taking part in the conflict? Politicians are always fearful of troop casualties. 

Conversely, the option of adopting a ‘wait and see’ policy is always available, in the hope that the situation will somehow resolve itself. For the anti-interventionists, any outside involvement would only exacerbate the problem and lead to accusations of interloping and selective meddling. They would also argue that the West has no duty or mandate to resolve problems not of its making. 

However, in our 24 hour global media, is it really possible for leaders to say or do nothing when images of violence, mayhem and death are beamed into our homes daily? 

In today’s news we read that the UK has pledge £10 million pounds to help those refugees who have fled the conflict in Syria and are now living in Lebanon. Some have argued that this is too little, too late, while others assert that it is adequate under the circumstances.

In Luke 10.25-37, a passage of Scripture we know as the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan’, Jesus raises the topic of ‘intervention’ when asked by an expert in the law ‘who is my neighbour?’ Some biblical scholars have argued that the man ‘going down from Jerusalem to Jericho’ placed himself in peril by making a solitary journey on a route known for danger. He was arguably the agent of his own downfall. The Priest and Levite may have thought this when they came across him, and this, allied to their socio-cultural, political and religious prejudices, resulted in them ignoring him.  

The real hero of the story, the Samaritan, is presented as a no-nonsense individual who sees beyond conventions, rituals and potential dangers, to provide the necessary help. For the Samaritan, this scenario has nothing to do with self-interest; in fact, there was probably a vested interest in him ignoring his wounded Jewish foe. Moreover, the Samaritan could have easily looked at the injured man; shook his head in pseudo sympathy, perhaps even saying a prayer, and continued on his merry way. However, Jesus says he ‘took pity’ on the man, and became involved in his life. The Lord reveals that the Samaritan went out of his way to help, using those things at his disposal (resources and time) to make a difference to that injured person. 

When it comes to complex and fraught matters such as interventions, where judgement, integrity and wisdom are required, Jesus is still telling us to ‘go and do likewise’, or ‘do the right thing’!

Prayer

This can be used as a prayer of thanksgiving at the end of a service.

Heavenly Father,

we want to praise you for your amazing grace and limitless compassion, 

that we see, and experience, so abundantly 

in the life of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We thank you that during our times of need, 

you provide us with the type of love 

that restores as well as sustains.

You have been our shelter during our times of need.

We pray that we can display aspects of this love 

to those who are also hurting. 

Give us the compassion and concern 

to move beyond our comfort zones and self-imposed cultural barriers 

to assist those in need of help. 

Enable us to avoid the pitfalls 

of apportioning blame or holding judgmental attitudes, 

and only see the need, and a desire to meet that necessity.  

This we ask in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Questions

• Why do we sometimes ‘walk on by’ when we see others in danger or need? 
• Does location, nationality or religion play a role in our desire to respond?

Action

Is it always appropriate to intervene in situations where people are in danger or need? In groups, you are asked to organise discussions where the relative merits and disadvantages of ‘interventions’ locally, nationally and internationally are weighed up.  

Young People

The Syrian situation, which is sadly spiraling out of control, continues to flummox Western Leaders as to how they should respond. In the midst of this mounting chaos, a number of charities are providing assistance to those most affected by the mayhem. Find out how you can support these efforts in Syria and neighbouring countries. 

Richard Reddie is a writer and researcher. His latest book, Martin Luther King Jr: History Maker is published by Lion Hudson. He worships at St James Church (CofE) West Streatham, London.

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