The Parable of the Good Samaritan

07-14-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi

Dear Parishioners,

I would like to thank everyone for participating at the Feast Day celebration of our Patron Saint, Benedict on Thursday of last week. Special thanks to the Liturgy Committee and our Seminarian, Connor Companik, for coordinating the Liturgy. Also, thanks to the Knights of Columbus and the Helping Hands Ministry for sponsoring the reception.

Reflection on the Scripture Reading

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most popular passages in the whole Bible. The United States, and many countries in the world, have some form of law called “The Good Samaritan Law” which stipulates the obligation to help someone in need with the protection of the helper from recourse. The question asked of Jesus by the scholar of the law is, “Who is my neighbor?” Many other questions can be built on this, such as What does the Samaritan stand to gain by helping this victim? What is really new about helping someone in an emergency? or What about people who avoid helping others for all kinds of reasons, even in an emergency? and Why is this passage so popular?

If we take a careful look at the story, we will find the answer to these questions from Jesus’ response to the Lawyer, and Moses’ instruction to the people of Israel in the First Reading. The point Jesus in putting across to the Lawyer is more than that of a charity work or rescuing someone at the point of death. To understand this, we have to remember that the Samaritans were national enemies to the Jews at the time of Jesus. Therefore, this points to Jesus’ command to love even our enemies.

We are told that a priest and a Levite passed by the man in need, but they would not help. Perhaps they were on their way to the Temple, in which case they felt justified for not helping because they were simply observing Torah that forbids them from touching a dead body which will defile them. Further, in the First Reading today, Moses pointed out the challenge of following the “Letter of the Law” as compared to following the law that is written in the heart. In other words, the priest and the Levite followed the letter of the law and used it as an excuse not to help, whereas the Samaritan followed the law that is written in his heart. He stands to gain nothing by helping the victim. He simply did what a person who loves God would naturally do; he followed the Natural Law that is written in his heart, to have unconditional compassion for someone who is helpless and voiceless.

The Scripture readings today invite us to reflect on any personal prejudice and discrimination of any form we may have toward certain individuals and groups. Above all, we are also invited to examine our stand on Prolife issues. When the life of a helpless unborn child is hanging out there like the victim in the Gospel today, what do we do? Do we follow the Letter of Government Laws to justify our stand, or do we follow the Natural Law that is written in our hearts?

Thank you and remain blessed.

Fr. James

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