Gospel Reflection - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

 


Luke 10:25-37

As a child, I had a handful of Arch Books biblical stories - Three Men Who Walked Through Fire, The Rich Fool, Eight Bags of Gold, but my favorite was The Good Samaritan. It never ceased to amaze me that the priest & Levite went out of their ways to pass the injured man. (None of the priests I've ever known would do such a thing!)

The one who stopped was (GASP!!!) a Samaritan - one who was despised & corrupted. He is the one who showed mercy to the injured man by treating his injuries & transporting him to an inn. He even went so far as to leave extra coins with the innkeeper so the man could continue to be cared for in the Samaritan's absence.

Despite all the evil the media portrays & the massive divisions they try to create, I refuse to believe there is no good left in the world! The first thing we must do is turn away from those media reports & look for the positive stories. Ask God to open your eyes to the uplifting events & actions happening around you. There are countless stories of those helping the less fortunate, those with differing beliefs & ideals - "Samaritans" helping their enemies.

I am reminded of St. Therese of Lisieux. In her convent, she was constantly irritated by another sister (whether that sister was aware of her affect or not). St. Therese, instead of snapping at the sister or running to complain to her superior, chose charity. She smiled at the sister when they passed one another. 

"I tried to do as many things for her as I could, and whenever I was tempted to speak unpleasantly to her, I made myself give her a pleasant smile and tried to change the subject." (St. Therese of Lisieux)

May we be granted the grace & temerity to reach beyond our comfort zones & help when we see a need, regardless of our differences. Let us look to the saints before us who faced adversity & conflict with peace & grace. 

  • St. Rita's consistent prayers for her husband & his family
  • St. Maria Goretti's forgiveness towards her attacker on her deathbed
  • St. Teresa of Calcutta's treatment of the poor with love
  • St. Martin de Porres & St. Peter Claver who cared for poorly treated slaves
  • St. Damien of Molokai, who cared for & ministered to the lepers
These are just a few saints who shared their love of neighbor. When Jesus spoke in Matthew 25 of the Corporal Works of Mercy, He did not say, "unless they believe differently than you." He said, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me." (Matthew 25:40)

Be a good Samaritan! Share Christ's love & mercy to all you meet!

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