Readings: Deut. 30:10-14, Ps. 69:14,17,30-31,33-34,36-37, Colossians 1:15-20, Luke 10:25-37
“Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed mercy on him.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)
Last Sunday, Jesus sent out the seventy-two on a mission to evangelise, giving them very strict rules, and they returned full of joy. Jesus told them to rejoice, not because they had conquered demons, but because their names were written in heaven. Each of us is called to be an evangelizer, to preach not just with words, but with our very lives.
Today, Jesus gives us a practical example of our calling as Christians in the story of the Good Samaritan. Why did the priest and the Levite ignore the man they met on the way? What motivated the Good Samaritan to help even when Jews had no business with Samaritans? These questions bring us to our lessons for today.
1. Charity is the Short-Cut to Heaven.
In today’s Gospel passage, a lawyer asked Jesus a very fundamental question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” In other words, what is the most essential thing required of me as a child of God? Or to put it in another way, what must I do to gain heaven? It is interesting to note that, unlike Nicodemus, who had come to Jesus by night, the lawyer asked Jesus in public to show off his qualification for eternal life. The lawyer was hoping that in his response, Jesus would mention those things with which he already prides himself.
To the lawyer’s surprise, Jesus gave a candid summary of the entire Ten Commandments: “To love God with all our heart, our soul, our strength, our mind, and to love our neighbour as ourselves.” Even in our day and time, this response of Jesus is still quite shocking given its basic simplicity. Note that Jesus did not mention going to Church, praying long prayers, wearing long robes, fasting three times a week, and so on. Jesus did not even mention the payment of tithes or sowing of seeds. The most essential requirement for heaven is to love God and love people.
2. Who is my Neighbour?
As Luke tells us, the lawyer, eager to let those around him know how qualified he was for heaven, asked another question: “Who is my neighbour?” That was when Jesus gave the story of the Good Samaritan. A man was attacked by robbers and left for dead, a priest passed by without helping, and a Levite also passed by, but a Samaritan, who would usually not have anything to do with a Jew, was the one who stopped to help.
The lawyer realised he was not as qualified as he thought. The story of the Good Samaritan teaches us that the neighbours God wants us to love are not those who are close to us, but those whom we often consider enemies. Our neighbours are not members of our family or community but strangers who would never be able to repay us for our good deeds.
While attaining heaven is as easy as loving God and our neighbour, the story of the Good Samaritan teaches us that the only difficulty we would encounter in entering heaven is the difficulty of showing kindness to our enemies or those we don’t know.
3. Go and Do Likewise.
Jesus did not just tell this story for the sake of entertainment; he passed on a powerful message by ending with the phrase: “Go and do likewise.” This final statement of Jesus was His answer to the question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” It is not enough that we hear God’s word. If we fail to do likewise, our hearing is in vain. Most of us like to think of ourselves as perfect candidates for heaven, but I ask you today: When was the last time you showed kindness to a stranger?
The key to helping people is seeing Christ in everyone. As St. Paul teaches us in our second reading today, “All things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17). Help others not because they deserve it, but because of Christ, whom you see in them. Remember that song: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me. When I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me a drink. When I was sick or in prison, you came to visit me… now enter into the home of my father.”
4. No Excuses for Kindness to the Needy
Whatever may have caused the priest and the Levite to pass this man by, Jesus did not tell us, but Jesus only mentioned that they failed to help the man. When it comes to helping the needy, no excuse is valid. Think of this: that person you see in need of your help today may be your last chance. They may have been sent your way to test you. Do not keep on till tomorrow what you can do today.
One thing that tends to prevent us from helping others is bitterness. You may have been hurt in the past, perhaps in your attempt to be kind to others, they repaid your good with evil, and so on. Remember, that person may just be you, and you, too, would expect someone to help you.
As Moses tells us in our first reading, we don’t need somebody to go to heaven to bring down God’s commandments; they are right in our hearts. Listen to your heart. Follow your conscience. Help, don’t hinder. Go and do like the Samaritan.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant us the grace to replicate your mercy and kindness to everyone we meet. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Deut. 30:10-14, Ps. 69:14,17,30-31,33-34,36-37, Colossians 1:15-20, Luke 10:25-37).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu