Twenty-Seventh Monday in Ordinary Time

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.’

Being a disciple of Christ means not only loving God with all our hearts, beings, strengths, and minds, but also loving our neighbors as God loves them. It is not always easy to do this, but if we want to be Christ-like, then we must be compassionate toward others. The priest and the Levite passed by the robbed man for unknown reasons, but no matter their reasoning, they ignored their higher duty. They might have been busy. They might have wanted to avoid becoming ritually unclean. They might have decided to not get involved out of fear. No matter why they didn't help, they failed to be neighborly toward the robbed man. However, the Samaritan goes above and beyond what many others would have done. He not only aids the victim, but also carries him to an inn, cares for him, and then provides money to the innkeeper to take care of the victim. He shows us how to respond to the opportunities God gives us to do His Will. And just like the Good Samaritan, we should be willing to set aside our excuses and love God through loving our neighbor to the best of our abilities.

Are we compassionate toward those in need? Are we willing to put aside our worries, excuses, and fears in order to love God and our neighbors? How can we prepare ourselves to act like Christ even when we are at our busiest?

O Lord, make us instruments of your compassion.

Amen.