Jul 8, 2022

15th Sunday - "Go and do likewise"

 


"Who is my neighbor?"

Luke 10: 25-37

The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071022.cfm

One never knows when or how God may or may not speak to us.  Just reflecting on my own experience and those of many I’ve heard over the years, God’s communication with us seems to come most often through times of quiet and public prayer such as in the liturgy, in the reading of Scripture, through his own creation which inspires us, the events of our lives, and the people we meet.  It is rare that we have a mountain top experience or some mystical revelation or a divine apparition or witness a miraculous healing.  While such events certainly do happen in the mysterious ways of God, they remain rare and not common. God is not here to entertain or “wow” us.  He calls us to conversion of heart and life.

This Sunday’s scripture is a moment in revelation to us.  God reveals, uncovers for us, an understanding of his mercy.  Having seen that we are called to extend the same. God’s commands are not unreachable or impossible for us.  As Moses tells the people they are “. . . very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry them out.” The way of mercy to others is illustrated beautifully in the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan we hear in the Gospel.

In our present day we often become easily blind to the needs of our neighbor. American culture is built upon making your own life, being independent, not taking a hand out, and working hard.  “Out of sight, out of mind” is an easy maxim to live by these days. The presence of so many homeless along our highways, in our parks, or just walking along the streets is a constant disturbance for us. They disturb our conscience because we know that we can’t just walk on by: “What can I do? Are they safe to be around? Do they want help? Should I give them money?”

Our Gospel this Sunday on the unexpectedly merciful Samaritan certainly reveals a stunning answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” – the answer is simply “everyone in need is my neighbor,” particularly those in need of compassion and mercy. Even those who I might even think are my enemies or strangers are my neighbor.

But there is a greater question first that the parable reveals: who is Jesus?  In his story telling to the crowds, Jesus deliberately designed them to get a reaction and to make those who heard them look deeper than the story line alone.  Often the main character in the story is Jesus himself: the father in the Prodigal Son for example, the judge in the parable of the persistent widow who accedes to the woman’s pleading and in this case, Jesus is the Samaritan who responds to suffering with mercy, not judgment.

Jesus’ own insight into human nature as he told these parables was life changing. For he came to offer humanity a way out; a place of refuge; a good Samaritan who will care for us and truly be the savior of all. We are the ones wounded and broken lying at the road because of our sin.  We are the ones who need someone to save and rescue and care for us and only Christ Jesus can do so.  Jesus own pouring out of his blood upon the cross and the sharing of his life in the Holy Eucharist, which is our present day “oil and wine” of healing, makes this Samaritan and the image of Christ himself.

Bishop Barron has a wonderful way of describing the Inn of the parable as an image of the Church.  When the injured man was taken to the Inn by the Samaritan he found protection, healing and mercy.  The Church in our sacramental life and in the compassion of members should be a place of refuge for us in the forgiveness of sin, the food of the Eucharist, the love we experience and the inspiration of our brothers and sisters in the faith. In that sense it can be a taste of the kingdom living as an alternative to the rough edges of politics, power, and greed we see so pervasive these days. As Pope Francis reminded us a number of years ago the Church is a field hospital where the wounded find comfort and support to live a new life.

So we need to never lose the real meaning of what we are called to be and that is Jesus himself to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and good example to all around us. To behave as Christ is the ultimate answer to the initial question posed to Jesus at the beginning of the Gospel passage; the answer to how we love God and attain heaven: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

So, it’s not so much that we try to change THE world but that we can change our world and allow all who come to find in us Christ himself – a place of refuge. The Eucharist is that living presence which continues to take us out of isolation and into the community of his Body, the Church.  The answer is simple – As Jesus has reached out to us, we go and do likewise.  


For we know it belongs to your

boundless glory, that you came to the aid of 

mortal beings with your divinity

and even fashioned for us a 

remedy out of mortality itself,

that the cause of our downfall

might become the means of our salvation

through Christ our Lord.

(Preface of Sundays in Ordinary time III)

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