15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Deut 30:10-14; Col 1:15-20; Lk 10:25-37

“Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The lawyer who asked this question to Jesus did not mean well. He wanted to discredit the Lord, perhaps by proving to the people that he was more knowledgeable about the law than this carpenter-turned-preacher. The lawyer’s intention was malicious, but his question was vital: “What must I do to gain life everlasting?” What question can be more crucial! Interestingly, the Lord chose not to answer the lawyer’s inquiry. Instead, he threw back a question to him: “What is written in the law?” All of a sudden, there was a reversal of roles: the questioned became the questioner.

The lawyer was quick to reply, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Practically, every Jew during Jesus’ time was familiar with this commandment, but not all, of course, took this by heart or put it into practice. Thus, the Lord said to the lawyer, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” Knowledge about the law of God does not mean anything if the person himself does not observe it in his life.

Perhaps, realizing that he was now the one under scrutiny, the lawyer tried to justify himself by asking another question, “And who is my neighbor?” The question was clearly a diversionary tactic, and yet, it presented a practical dilemma. Who is the neighbor I have to love? Do I need to love everyone? Or, is there a non-neighbor I do not have to love?

In Judaism there was a discussion about who should be considered a neighbor of an Israelite. Generally speaking, Jews would consider “neighbor” a fellow Jew or a convert to Judaism. Neighbors were people who share the same religious convictions or nationalist sentiments. The Jews would not consider Samaritans as their neighbors because there was a deeply-rooted animosity between them. For inter-marrying with foreign invaders (considered gentiles), Samaritans were accused of defiling the temple, distorting the Torah and degrading divine worship. Hence, from the Jews’ point of view, Samaritans were blasphemous, licentious and morally decadent. They were not to be included in the circle of neighborly love.

Now, imagine how the Jews reacted after Jesus gave the story which became known as “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”. The Samaritan, not the priest and the Levite, came out protagonist of the story. This parable was a big slap in the face for the Jews. Definitely, many of them got mad and wondered how this Jewish story-teller could possibly portray a “good” Samaritan.

The question “Who is my neighbor?” provided a context of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Through this parable, Jesus teaches that humanity is one big neighborhood. Every person is our neighbor, not simply those who are like us by race, color, tongue, philosophy, or belief. The Samaritan of the story proved to be a true neighbor because he responded to the needs of a dying man regardless of the fact that the victim was a Jew, or an enemy. Moreover, the parable emphasizes that love of neighbor must not only be universal but also concrete and proactive. The Samaritan did not only say consoling words to the victim on the road. Instead, “he went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them”. Then, he lifted the wounded man on to his donkey, brought him to the inn and cared for him. The following day, “he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper” with the promise that he will come back to settle his responsibility for the services the innkeeper would provide the patient. Through this story, Jesus teaches that genuine love of neighbor includes the willingness to give time, energy and material resources for the good of the needy.

The priest and the Levite were first to notice the wounded man on the road, but they did not feel any compassion on him and simply passed by on the other side. A commentator warns that we should not make the mistake of easily condemning the priest and the Levite as “bad” men. Perhaps, they were not bad, but busy. For the two religious personalities and, often, for many of us, people in need are cargoes, disturbances and troubles. They intrude in our privacy. They disturb our work, responsibilities and free times. We might see their needs and we wish others would help them. But not us, not now, or not here. We have other things to do.

Today’s gospel should inspire us to consider all needy persons – the poor, the sick, the oppressed, the broken-hearted, even our enemies – as our neighbors. Every time we encounter them, we are challenged to become Good Samaritans by helping them in their needs. This, according to Jesus, is a way that leads to eternal life.

Somebody wrote this inspiring Beatitudes:

Blessed are those who care and who are not afraid to show it – they will let people know they are loved.

Blessed are those who are gentle and patient – they will help people to grow as the sun helps the buds to open and blossom.

Blessed are those who have the ability to listen – they will lighten many a burden.

Blessed are those who know how and when to let go – they will have the joy of seeing people find themselves.

Blessed are those who, when nothing can be done or said, do not walk away, but remain to provide a comforting and supportive presence – they will help the sufferer to bear the unbearable.

Blessed are those who recognize their own need to receive, and who receive with graciousness – they will be able to give all the better.

Blessed are those who give without hope of return – they will give people an experience of God.

[The Beatitudes for People Who Care is by an unknown author]