“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?”
Who are our neighbors? That is the question posed to Jesus and in response he gives us the parable of the Good Samaritan. We see two people, a priest and a Levite, who represent religious and righteous people pass by the beaten man. They did not stop to tend his wounds. Instead, they passed by on the opposite side. Perhaps they didn’t stop because they didn’t want to be made ritually unclean by the man’s blood. Or maybe because they were afraid the robbers were still around. Perhaps they thought it was a trick. No matter the reason they didn’t stop, they let their own personal selfishness overrule their hearts. They let pride or fear trump compassion. Jesus calls us to know, love, and serve our fellow children of God no matter what the circumstances. We are asked to be like the Good Samaritan and recognize our neighbor in all whom we meet no matter how disfigured (physically or emotionally) they might be. We cannot follow in Jesus’ footsteps if we do not approach those in most need of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace and care for them to the best of our abilities. We should be willing to give our time, talents, and treasures to God and His children. This is how we become good and faithful servants of God and neighbors to our fellow man.
Who are our neighbors? Who do we have the most difficulty being compassionate to? What are we doing in our lives to cultivate a spirit of compassion and care?
O Lord, give us your compassionate heart so that we might love others as we should.
Amen.
