In this week's episode of Downton Abbey the setting has changed drastically. Due to Sybil's efforts, the family has allowed the hospital to extend it's quarters to include the Crowley house. While this seems like an honorable and selfless deed, it is important to note that Lord Grantham and Cora are more than reluctant to agree. Even after everything is set up and the wounded soldiers are brought in, the pair do not hesitate to broadcast their discomfort and outright rudeness regarding the entire situation. On a surprising note, Edith truly steps up as a nurse for the wounded and all the men are extremely thankful for her. Anna discovers that Bates has returned to town but is laying low for a bit until he is able to divorce his wife. William returns to Downton for a night before being sent off to war. It is on this night that he asks Daisy to be his wife. Daisy reluctantly accepts after being persuaded by her boss that since William is going to war, it is Daisy's job to send him off on good terms. Mary's grandmother and aunt begin to scheme against Matthew's new fiance by digging up blackmail on her. They wish to get rid of her so that Mary can move in. In an interesting turn of events, Mary is actually not a part of the scheming and appears to have grown a heart. She seeks out Matthew's fiance and confronts her. After learning the truth, Mary defends her and shuts down the schemes completely. While the setting of the show has certainly changed, what with injured soldiers roaming around, the attitudes and characters sadly remain the same.
One theme that can be found in this week's episode of Downton Abbey is the unwillingness to help those who are hurt and in need. As stated before, Lord Grantham and Cora are extremely reluctant to agree with housing injured soldiers. The only reason they agree is because of Sybil's involvement with the hospital. Not only are they reluctant, but they complain nonstop about not being able to go into one of the multiple sitting rooms or the library. I cannot even explain my disgust with them regarding this. Seriously? These men are dying for YOU, and you can't stand to give up a fraction of your mansion of a home for their recovery? There are people who have far less than them who give so much more.
This issue is addressed in scripture in Luke 10:25-37 in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In this parable, Jesus tells a story of a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by robbers. He was stripped of his clothes, beaten, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite passed by the man on the side of the road and kept going. It was not until a Samaritan found the man that he was taken in, helped, and restored to health. Jesus explains that this is what it means to be a good neighbor as he commanded. He then tells the expert in the law whom he was speaking with to "go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37). Clearly, helping the injured, and therefore being a good neighbor, is encouraged by Jesus in scripture.
