Sr. Sharon CMC
READING: Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
REFLECTION: An incomplete sacrifice. We may all know for sure that Priest and Levites were the professional ministers during Jesus’ time who were involved in the service of Jewish temple at Jerusalem. Coming to their duties, priests offered various sacrifices leading the assembly to confession. And the Levites were the temple assistance who helped the priests and engaged in menial duties like: preparing sacrifices, playing music and taking care of the temple.
Let us assume that priests and Levites in the parable of the Good Samaritan, had probably completed their duties at the temple and were on their way back to home. The Priest avoided to come near the wounded man, perhaps supposing him to be dead thus free from ritual defilement. When we look at the Levite, he was very insensitive than that of the priest. He was eager to satisfy his curiosity by stopping to have a glance at the wounded man and refuse to help. Jews in this parable act with disdain in spite of their divine mandate: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Lev. 19/18. These two characters in the parable are cold examples, whose sacrifices were incomplete. The priest and Levite were committed to service in the name of God without compassion or we can say that their sacrifice did not produce any fruit.
On the contrary a Samaritan who was the mortal enemy of the Jews becomes the friend indeed. And was quicker to human need than the morally correct priests or Levite. As the story goes against everything that the Jews believed about Samaritans for years. The Samaritan not only goes near to the wounded man but he spends all that he had and promises to come back and proves himself to be a real neighbour to the man. At the end of the parable, we understand that the Samaritan is not a mortal enemy but a good fellow, the model of virtue.
Things have not changed much in the last 2000 years. Still Many people today are overly concerned with just the minimum have to give to others. In this context the parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to rethink our attitude. The parable is an example of what it means to be a neighbour.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the greatest gift of Jesus to us as our Saviour, Who bore our sins in His body and won salvation for us. Dear Jesus You are the Good Samaritan who always accepts us as we are and ever ready to bind and heal our wounds. We beseech You Lord that we too may bind the wounds of others and live in love.
CONTEMPLATION: Let us sit quietly silencing our inner self by repeating the name of Jesus. And surrender everything at the feet of the Lord. Let us travel to the innermost cave of our heart where the Lord dwells and be in His presence. Let us sincerely reflect to which category of the parable do I belong? What is my attitude towards the poor and the marginalised? Am I really ready to spend myself for others? If there is anything done against our neighbour or did not make use of the opportunities to show mercy and love to others, let us seek pardon from the Lord. Let the Lord heal and make us whole.
ACTION: Be Compassionate towards others and accept them as they are.
