Cycle C - Year I: 14 July 2013 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Cycle C - Year I:

14 July 2013 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical color: Green)

Luke 10:25-37

The Good Samaritan: love for our neighbor!

In the Christian world we often hear or read about the parable of Jesus. They represent a key part of his teachings, in fact forming approximately one-third of recorded teachings of Jesus, according to biblical authorities.

Jesus' parables are simple and memorable stories, often with imagery, usually depicting simple everyday life of his time. But although these parables seem simple, they convey deep messages that are central to the teachings of Jesus.

We hear one of the most well-known parables in today's Gospel from Luke, the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

There was a Jewish expert of the law who stood up to test Jesus on how to inherit everlasting life. Their conversation touched on two great commandments: love God and love  your neighbor. But the lawyer wants to spar with Jesus over the legal texts of the law, and so asks him, "And who is my neighbor?" (Lk 10:29)

In response our Lord gives the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In the social context of his time, this parable is intended to shock and challenge his listeners. Because recall that Jews were hostile to the Samaritans, who were considered social outcasts. By the choice of such protagonist, Jesus intentionally scandalizes the lawyer, to shock this complacent and self-serving man into a genuine understanding of love for neighbor.

Ultimately our Lord also addresses this Parable of the Good Samaritan to everyone in our time, who wants to test God and justify himself or herself. We can learn important lessons from this parable.

First, the use of a Samaritan (whom we said was the outcast of society) as a good neighbor is to show that we ought not to set limits to our charity. It must extend even to our enemies who need our help. Indeed, a shocking and challenging thought for most of us, I agree.

Second, the parable presents the Samaritan as the exemplar of love for neighbor to show that God's grace extends to all, that is to say beyond the "saintly and the holy", enabling even Samaritans to love as God commands.

Finally, the story teaches us that to be a neighbor is to be more sensitive to human life, both the joy and pain of people. Because being a neighbor is not based on personal relationship, race or religion. We should worry less about our own perception, or definition, of who is a neighbor, but more about being a neighbor to all, especially those who need our help and mercy.

In sum, the parable of the Good Samaritan provides an inspiring standard of love for neighbor. In our time Mother Theresa is our role model of a good neighbor as she cared for the abandoned and the dying in the streets of India.

In other words, this parable teaches us that our love must be generous, sacrificial, extending even to our enemies. Because it is in being a neighbor that we are also able to be living witnesses of our faith, and not just through self-serving devotion.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Deo Optimo Maximo!