The Good Samaritan: A Parable that should comfort and disturb us

We've probably all heard the Jesus' parable about the good Samaritan. It's both a story of healing and comfort, and a story, when applied to our life, that makes us uncomfortable and pushes us. Are we willing to "go and do likewise", as Christ tells us at the end of the parable? Are we willing to go and tend to the wounds of those around us on the streets, in our jobs, in our families? In order to be true followers of Christ, we have to take what we hear in His teachings and actually carry that out in our own lives. If we don't apply ourselves, how are we supposed to be Christ to those in our broken world? He extends his mission and work to us, so that we might actively participate in the saving work of the Cross!