Readings: Jonah 1:1-2:1,11, 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)
In Genesis 2:18, after creating Adam, God looked at him carefully and observed: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” In other words, God saw that the man He created was not meant to survive without others. Being alone is not simply being unmarried; it is a state of being. Being alone is living in your world, where everything centres around you, where the only person you love is yourself, and where you can only sacrifice for yourself.
Jonah is one example of a man who was alone. He lived in his world and cared only about himself. Even though he was a prophet, he struggled with making sacrifices for others. So, when God asked him to go to Nineveh, he tried to escape from God. He didn’t think there was any need to sacrifice to save the souls of the Ninevites languishing in sin. God taught him a lesson using his life as an example for us.
Jonah’s experience, including how his ship almost sank and how he had to spend three days inside the belly of a great fish, is a classic example of what we suffer when we live only for ourselves. In the Gospel passage, Jesus teaches us to be kind and generous to everyone, regardless of their background or identity. He offers us a universal definition of neighbour that is not restricted by race, colour, religion, or physical borders.
And to make His point, Jesus gave a parable of a man travelling ‘alone’ along a road path that robbers usually beset. Why was he travelling alone? The robbers saw him as easy prey because he was entirely alone. They not only stole from him, but they also stripped him, beat him, and left him half dead.
A priest saw him but passed by. This priest was alone, living in his own world, much like Jonah the prophet. So, likewise, a Levite. Finally, a Samaritan, who had no business with this man, was the one who came to rescue him, offered to treat him, and took him to an inn, where he paid the medical bills.
This Good Samaritan is the direct opposite of Jonah; he teaches us how to live by caring for our neighbours. They say, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone, but if you must walk far, walk with someone.” Do not be a loner. It is dangerous to be alone, to live in a world of “I, my and myself.”
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, free us from selfishness. 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. (Monday of week 27 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Jonah 1:1-2:1,11, Luke 10:25-37)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu