Sr. Bincy Thumpanathu CMC
READING: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “the one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:36-37).
REFLECTION: These verses are taken from the parable of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10:25-37). The parable of the Good Samaritan has become one of the most popular stories among all of Jesus’ teachings because of its perennial message on love and compassion. The parable clearly reveals virtues such as compassion, mercy, solidarity, generosity, and hospitality; those in a way disappear from today’s world that is too busy and self-centered.
When an expert of the law asked Jesus about the criteria for inheriting the eternal life, Jesus invites him to find the answer from the Scripture itself. He said: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbour as yourself (Lk 10:27). But wanted to justify himself, he asked Jesus, who is my neighbor? At this point, Jesus answers him with this beautiful parable, a paradigm of Christian life. In other words, this parable shows how a Christian should act in a dissociated world.
The story opens by portraying an injured man. The evangelist has not given him a name. It can be purposefully done because the story will not end here: the injured man can be you and me when time passes by. In fact three persons passed by this half dead man who was attacked brutally by the robbers. Two among three were a priest and a levite, who pass the dying man on the road, did nothing, went away for offering sacrifices to God. Do you think God will be pleased with their sacrifices? Never! Holy Scripture often condemns such offerings. A typical example can be seen in the book of Amos. The sacrifices the people of Israel had expected would be pleasing to the Lord are instead detested by him (Am 5:21-23). Love and justice are what the Lord desires and no amount of religious ceremony can be a substitute for moral duty (Am 5:24; Hos 6:6; Mt 9:13).
But the third, a Samaritan, through his merciful actions, restores the human dignity of the anonymous wounded man in the parable. Quoting the parable, Pope Francis once said that the parable of the Good Samaritan is not just a nice passage to reflect on, but signifies a concrete choice we make in deciding how to live and treat those around us. The Good Samaritan in fact indicates a lifestyle, the center of which is not we, but others, with their difficulties.
Therefore, it is appreciable to be compassionate to the needs of others. The robbers that we met in this story represent a world without compassion. They treated others as means for their living. Whereas, the priest and levite did not steal anything from others. But, they were not willing to share what is theirs with others. On contrary, the Good Samaritan provides a great example. He spends everything for others. He poured oil and wine to the wounds of the injured one. Christ too offered his life; shed his blood to extend salvation for humanity. The Good Samaritan challenges us on our path. Each day we have to decide whether to be Good Samaritans or indifferent bystanders.
PRAYER: Lord, change my attitude of selecting and serving people according to my own liking. May I never lose sight of my brothers and sisters in trouble and difficulty. Echo in my heart your command “go and do likewise” and fill my heart with compassion and infinite love.
CONTEMPLATION: Sit comfortably and let your soul slowly be calmed. Keep your mind free of all distractions, and gradually experience the presence of the Lord. Try to hear the tender voice of the Lord who speaks in the silence of your heart and meditate the following thoughts:
• Lord, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Lk 10: 25)
• The Lord desires mercy, not mere sacrifice
• God is love, and worshipping him also means serving others with genuine and generous love
• In the end we will be judged on the works of mercy as well
ACTION: “As long as we love each other God remains in us and his love comes to its perfection in us” (1 John 4:12).
– Thirst for a heart which sees the pain and needs of others, and acts accordingly.
– Be a neighbour to the brother or sister whom you see in trouble, the example of the Good Samaritan.
