TO WHOM CAN I BE A NEIGHBOUR?
Today we celebrate the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings invite us to what makes us truly human and aware that eternal life begins not in heaven, but now. We are reminded to live out our faith so as to be fully alive.
The first reading Deuteronomy 30:10-14, concludes Moses’ last discourse to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. He emphasizes that God’s commandments are not distant or impossible to follow nor a tiresome obligation; rather a most precious gift and source of light and life. God has placed His Word in our hearts for us to follow Him in our daily lives.
In the second reading Colossians 1:15-20, St. Paul encourages the Colossians at a time when they were facing confusion by philosophies not grounded in the wisdom of God. St. Paul proclaims that Christ is above all, the “image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” and in Him “all the fullness of God dwells.” This teaches us that Christ reveals God’s nature in visible form. Christ holds all creation together giving us purpose and harmony, even the struggles, brokenness, uncertainties, and fears. As proclaimed in the Responsorial Psalm 68(69), do we continue to trust and stay close to God in our faith, in the ups and downs of life and in the care for others?
In the Gospel reading of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), we would recall at one time or another in which we have experienced kindness marked by consideration by others, concern and all done without expecting praise or reward in return. In gratitude and recognizing blessings as a source of kindness … perhaps it was a smile or a kind gesture, help by a stranger when seeking directions, in carrying heavy groceries or packages, a considerate friend being there for you and the list goes on. In those moments, do you recall feeling better, more positive? We never know what someone is going through and a smile could mean a whole lot more than we realize. In reflecting on the readings, each person whom I walked by, spoke to became a glaring reminder of … to whom can I be a neighbour?
The Good Samaritan reflects what compassion looks like, to see every person as a neighbour, in overcoming selfishness and pride, and extending grace and patience. Faith guiding our words and actions, caring for others even strangers or those we find hard to love, no matter who they are. The Samaritan, an unlikely hero, shows mercy and compassion when others do not. Samaritans were Jews who intermarried Assyrian invaders and seen as compromised figures, not true in their religion, morally corrupt. They were not accepted by the Jews and the relationship and the divide was severely exacerbated in the 2nd century when the Jewish high priest, John Hyrcanus destroyed the Samaritan temple on Mount Gerizim.
In Luke 9:51, just one chapter earlier, a Samaritan village turned Jesus away. James and John saw this and asked, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them.” Jesus turned and rebuked them. He shows us how to overcome past divisions and does not see the Samaritans as enemies. Instead, Jesus uses one of them as an example of love and mercy, and teaches us that love does not carry grudges. The Samaritan in the parable does not ask who the injured man is. He does not stop to question whether the man deserves help. He simply chooses to care for him.
St. Luke reminds us when we care for others, let go of divisions, and choose kindness, we follow what God truly asks of us. It is a message for all people, in every time where many people are hurting, lonely or pushed aside. It shows how to live the faith every day—with mercy, joy, prayer, and care for others in our love, actions, and words. When we act with mercy, we become the people God calls us to be.
Kindness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the presence of the Holy Spirit in us to change and guide our lives, and in making us more like Christ. In kindness, God gives us green pastures, quiet waters, and restoration of our souls when we are weary (Psalm 23:2-3). The many occasions Jesus stopped to help others as in Bartimaeus who was blind and begging at the roadside, loaves and fish to feed the five thousand and the Good Shepherd who rescues the one lost sheep out of the one hundred.
The Good Samaritan is a symbol of Jesus himself, in His role as Savior of the world. In Bishop Robert Barron’s homily, he explains that the parable of the Good Samaritan is more than a moral lesson and is about Christ in relation to fallen humanity. It reveals Jesus as the healer of fallen humanity and our task is to be other Christs. In the opening line of Luke 10:30, we read of “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” It is a great descent from Jerusalem; Mount Zion a high hill country and stands for the heavens. Jericho which is downhill nearly 3,500 feet below Jerusalem, is one of the lowest cities at the level of the Dead Sea. It runs through narrow passes that gave bandits ideal spots for ambush. Jericho stands for the city that had strayed from God’s teachings and was a place of sin, wickedness, and idolatry. When the Israelites came to the Promised Land, the first place they had to conquer was Jericho. In overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles and in trust and obedience to God, the Israelites led by Joshua blew the trumpets and with loud shout brought down the walls and conquered the city of sin, Jericho (Joshua 6). In the journey from Jerusalem to Jericho, the traveller in the story was beaten by the robbers and left half alive, wounded, and helpless. Similarly, we are the traveller in the story, and while we remain in the image of God … are we half alive, compromised by distractions, sin, anxieties, fears and robbed of our will, identity as children of God, spiritually and intellectually. That is all of us, fallen humanity when we separate ourselves from God.
Jesus, like the Samaritan, saves us when no one else can. He pours healing into our wounds, especially through the sacraments of the Church. We are called to be like Him, bringing compassion and healing to others. Jesus is our great model of the moral and ethical life. Pope Francis emphasized “misericordia,” the mercy of God, the mercy of Christ. This is the mercy that the Son of God, our Savior has for fallen humanity as we are languishing at the side of the road. “He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them” (Luke 10:34). It stands for the sacramental life of the Church, the oil used at Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick and wine of the Eucharist. The Samaritan brought the ill, wounded, and compromised traveller to an inn and took care of him. The inn is a symbol of the Church which receives travellers who are tired from their journey and after being refreshed is restored with wholesome food (St. John Chrysostom). Pope Francis compared the Church to a field hospital some years ago. Today, we come to the Church and are cared for sacramentally. The next day the Samaritan gives two denarii to the innkeeper to take care of the wounded man and offers to repay the innkeeper whatever more is spent. Christ the Redeemer pays the price for us on the cross for our salvation, heals our wounds, and pours the healing balm of the Sacraments. Christ entrusts us to His Church for us to love others as we are loved by God.
In the reading, Jesus concludes which of these three (the priest, the Levite, the Samaritan), do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell in the hands of the robbers? His listener answered, “the one who showed him mercy. Jesus said “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
Like the Samaritan, to whom can we be a neighbour at home and in our family, in school, at work, a friend, a passer-by and others? Are we able to act with love and mercy and be fully alive? Do we pray for God’s love and the Holy Spirit to guide and give us the wisdom and resilience to love others, to follow Jesus, and to live out God’s teachings every day?
Mother Teresa made it her hallmark always to perform the humblest service to the helpless. Here is a story she tells that symbolizes her ministry. The Missionaries of Charity sisters work in Australia. On the reservation, among the Aborigines, there was an elderly man whom she describes as never been a situation as difficult. He was completely ignored by everyone, and his home disordered and dirty. Mother Teresa asked the man to let her clean his house, wash his clothes, and make his bed. He answered that he was okay like this, and to let it be. She asked again and he finally agreed; and she was able to clean his home and wash his clothes. She discovered a beautiful lamp covered with dust and asked him whether he used or lit the lamp. He answered that no one comes to see him and has no need to light it. Mother Teresa asked if he would light it every night if the sisters came and he replied that he would. From that day, the sisters committed themselves to visit him every evening. Two years passed, the man sent this message “Tell my friend that the light she lit in my life continues to shine still.”
As Mother Teresa said “a mere smile, a short visit, the lighting of a lamp, writing a letter for a blind man, carrying a bucket of charcoal, reading the newspaper for someone – something small, very small may in fact be our love of God in action.”
May we remember that each of us is the Good Samaritan and be a neighbour to everyone we meet, to let kindness lead, and in sharing grace till day is done. Here is an excerpt from the prayer of guidance and awareness.
Lord, watch over my thoughts and words.
Make them pleasing to You.
When I speak or act, let it reflect Your love.
Teach me to be kind, patient, and true.
Thank You for being with me every day.
Help me to stay close to You, in good times and bad.
May, I always seek You in the world around me and in Your Word.
Amen.
Article by Olivia Tan, HFC Blog Contributor