As Francisco Venegas, a school custodian in Colorado, watched the children on the playground, he saw a 9-year-old girl fall off a bench for no apparent reason. Another time he noticed her face twisted in a strange expression. Sensing that something was wrong, Francisco reported what he had seen to the school office.

A few days later, the girl had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. The information that Francisco provided led doctors to perform a brain scan, and they found a tumor. Successful surgery and recovery followed.

Many people have called Francisco Venegas a "good samaritan," a name drawn from a story Jesus told about three people who saw a man in need. The first two "passed by on the other side" (Luke 10:31-32). But the third, a Samaritan, showed compassion (vv.33-35).

Compassion cannot see someone in need without helping. It accepts the consequences of getting involved because it cannot bear to turn away. Compassion comes from a heart that is tender toward God and fellow travelers on the road of life.

Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan ends with a command for each of us: "Go and do likewise" (v.37). Jesus sees everyone through eyes of compassion, and He calls us to do the same.  — David C. McCasland