Brush Prairie resident Bob Mattila offers some advice from scripture
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
In the Bible, in Luke 10, Jesus tells us how to live, in “The parable of the Good Samaritan.” Samaria was a part of Northern Israel that had been conquered by other countries that replaced the Jews by outsiders who were not Jews, and were despised and rejected by the Jews in Israel.
Jesus was giving a speech when a certain lawyer stood up and asked Him what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him what was written in the law. He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’’ The lawyer then asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus told him about a man going to Jericho who was robbed of his clothes, wounded, and left half dead. A priest and a Levite passed him by. Then a Samaritan, (one of the despised ones), came, had compassion on him, bandaged his wounds, took him to an inn, and took care of him.
When the Samaritan left the next day, he paid the innkeeper, telling him to take care of the injured man, and if it cost more, he would repay it. Jesus asked the lawyer who he thought was a neighbor to the wounded man. He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” That is what we all need to do to everyone.
Bob Mattila
Brush Prairie
Also read:
- Opinion: ‘A more responsible approach must be sought’
Ken Vance argues a $10 billion funding gap makes the phased I-5 Bridge approach fiscally reckless, not responsible. - POLL: Do patriotic displays like Yacolt’s road striping help strengthen community spirit?
A Yacolt road striping project tied to America’s 250th anniversary is dividing opinion in Clark County. - Opinion: The challenges of getting the Brockmann mental health facility open
A $42 million, 48-bed mental health campus near WSU Vancouver was completed in 2025 but never opened due to lack of state funding. - Opinion: Washington’s business exodus accelerates due to high taxes, regulations driving companies away
Washington’s business relocation rate has nearly tripled since winter 2025, per an AWB survey. - Letter: Food service, public health, and the Men’s Share House question
Peter Bracchi asks why Share House’s 96,987 annual meals face less public-health scrutiny than a waterfront restaurant.
