We fall prey to the myth of "Otherness" especially in hard times. The concept of "otherness" grows out of our pain and suffering. And if we aren't aware of our pain points, we will blame others for what ails us. Today, Lee Ann offers an answer to this "otherness" problem we seem to be having in the U.S. and the world at large, using one of Jesus's stories from the Gospel of Luke. You'll recognize the lawyer that prompts Jesus to tell this story and you'll be surprised (maybe) by what you learn.

Additional quote about hate and otherness:

"I imagine that one of the reasons people cling to their hate so stubbornly is because they sense once hate is gone, that they will be forced to deal with pain."--James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son, 1955

Resources for today's episode:

Brene Brown, Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

Amy-Jill Levine, Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi

Amy-Jill Levine, The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus

Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, Eds, The Jewish Annotated New Testament: New Revised Standard Version Bible Translation

Luke 10: 25-37

More about your host and fellow traveler, Lee Ann:

Lee Ann Hopkins

If you like this meditation, you'll love these:

Meditation on Friendship

Meditation on Gratitude

Meditation on Power and Powerlessness (Lee Ann referred to this episode specifically)