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]
