Gospel:
Luke 10:25-37
There was
a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I
do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law?
How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with
all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your
mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered
correctly; do this and you will live.”
But
because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my
neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from
Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him
half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he
passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when
he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who
came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on
his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out
two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take
care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on
my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the
robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said
to him, “Go and do likewise.”
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Reflection:
A scholar
of the law asked Jesus: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus told him read what is written in the law. The scholar said this: “You
shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with
all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
Then the
scholar of the law asked Jesus who is my neighbor? To drive home His teaching
on how to become a good neighbor Jesus told the man a story. Pertaining to a
man who lays dying by the roadside.
The first
who passed by the dying man was a priest; being a priest he was expected to
embody the teaching of love for God and neighbor. But he only loved God not his
neighbor for he did nothing to help the dying man. The next one who passed by
the dying man was a Levite, a servant in the temple of God. Unfortunately, he
also failed the test of love of God and neighbor for he also did not mind the
dying man.
Then
comes the Samaritan who doesn’t serve in the temple of God, he was not even a
Jew yet he showed deep compassion to the dying man. The Samaritan brought him
to a house; took care of him and ensured that he would fully recover.
Among the
three, the Good Samaritan even if he doesn’t serve God gained favor in the eyes
of Jesus for he was merciful to the dying man. It is very ironic that those who
served God in the temple (priest and Levite) were indifferent to the need of
the dying man.
Every now
and then our faith would also be challenged by Jesus through those who are in
need of our help. Let us never turn a blind eye on them or pretend not to see
them. Let us not make any excuse/s for us not to help, let us simply help them.
Just like the Good Samaritan who gained favor in the eyes of Jesus. - Marino J. Dasmarinas
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