THERE are some stories which bear re-telling. The best stories, like parables, endure not only because of what they teach us but because their applicability endures beyond their original setting or telling.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is told by Jesus to a lawyer who comes asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells the lawyer to love God and to love his neighbour. The lawyer needs more information. “Who is my neighbour?” he asks.

In response Jesus tells the parable of a man who is on a journey from Jerusalem to Jericho when he is attacked by robbers who beat him, strip him and leave him for dead. Along the same road comes first a priest and then a teacher of the law, both of whom pass by the man and cross to the other side of the road.

Finally, another traveller from out of town comes down the road and takes pity on the injured man, attending to him and bandaging his wounds. He places the injured man on his donkey and takes him to an inn, asking the innkeeper to take care of him and offering to pay for his care.

At the end of the story Jesus asks the lawyer “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

“The one who had mercy on him,” replies the lawyer.

To which Jesus responds: “Go and do likewise.”

This parable came to mind earlier this week I stood with others in Durham’s Market Place listening to the stories of students from Ukraine who spoke about the plight of their families and loved ones in their home country. Some had not been able to be in touch with their families and were fearful of what that might mean.

Others had received news but the news was the kind that caused worry and concern.

For one student, unable to complete her speech for the emotion that overwhelmed her, the news she had received the night before was of the death of a loved one as a result of the war.

Having mercy on our neighbour who is in need will require sacrifice. Sanctions on the Russian state may lead to even higher gas and petrol prices. Being generous in our support of countries such as Poland, Hungary and Moldova on the frontline of an unfolding humanitarian disaster will cost.

Creating necessary, safe and swift arrangements for those fleeing war and catastrophe to find sanctuary and refuge in our country at this time of war will have costs.

But the cost of not doing any of these things will be greater. There will be a price to pay for a failure of moral leadership that emboldens evil and leaves it unchallenged.

There is a consequence to telling those who would rob, beat, strip and steal that we will simply cross the other side of the road and walk on by. If there are to be no British boots on the ground of Ukraine in defence of its people then let us, at the very least, welcome Ukrainian boots on to our soil with a demonstration of love, justice and mercy.

  • Arun Arora is the vicar of St Nicholas's Church in Durham