15th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Luke 10: 25-37
July 14, 2013
GOSPEL READING: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to
test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read
it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all
your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your
mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you
will live.”
But because he wished to
justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from
Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him
half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he
passed by on the opposite side. 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?” He answered, “The one who
treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
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| Photo Credit: dburr.blogspot.com |
REFLECTION: My Good
Samaritan
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
One basic question that must not be not only asked by a scholar of the
law. Everyone should aspire to inherit
eternal life. But unlike the scholar of
the law, let us ask this question not to test the Lord, but to ask ourselves
sincerely: “how can my present work be a
way for me to inherit eternal life?”
In
the Gospel, the one asking the question is a scholar. The Lord knew he was knowledgeable. So, He answered him with a question, “What is written in the law?” The man, in turn, answered it correctly: “You shall love the Lord, your God with all
your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your
mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” The man wished to justify himself,
thus, he raised another question, “And
who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered this with a parable to teach us who our
neighbor is, and make us understand how to become a good neighbor to others. The Samaritan in the parable gave us a
concrete example on how to become a good neighbor to anyone who is in
need. He showed his love in action by
taking care of the man who was robbed.
Fr.
Art Dingel, OP once said that in our journey of life, we will meet along the
way different kinds of neighbor:
The robbers are
those people who rob us of our innocence, trust, reputation, etc. For the
robbers, ‘what is yours is mine;’
therefore, I will get it.
The Priest or the Levite
are those people who never bother to help others who are in need. For them, ‘what is mine is mine;’ so, I will keep
it.
The Samaritan is the
one who shows concern for others. For him, ‘what
is mine is yours;’ therefore, I give it and share it.
These
are the different kinds of love we have for our neighbors. At times, we are like robbers who rob our
neighbor of what they have, treat them with indifference, or accuse them
falsely. Sometimes, we are like the Levite or the Priest in the parable. We
pray and worship God but we would not move an inch to help others who are in
their need. However, we are expected to love as the Samaritan did, whose love
for neighbor was shown in deed. Our neighbor must become part of our lives. We
should share generously to others the many gifts that we have received from
God.
It
was during my last semester in college when I met my “Good Samaritan”. My brother who has been supporting my studies
suddenly lost his job. He called me up
to tell me that I might not be able to continue my studies. It was a very
unwelcomed news, indeed, considering the fact that there were only six units
left for me to finish my course. I felt
so helpless. I thought it was the end of all my dreams. It was then when my “Good Samaritan” came
along. My companions were wondering what could had happened to me when they
heard me crying inconsolably. Everybody knew me as someone who has bright
disposition with a ready joke for everyone. They were worried because I kept on
crying without telling them why. Sensing their authentic concern, I was
compelled to tell them what my brother told me over the phone. Right then and
there, my “Good Samaritan” embraced me with so much love and concern, asking me
to stop crying. She assured me that everything will be all right; that she will
help me with everything I need to finish my studies. Hearing those words made
me break again into tears. But those were tears of joy and gratitude.
For
the rest of the year till I graduated, I haven’t had to worry about my lodging,
tuition fees, graduation expenses and even my graduation dress. I felt so beautiful with that graduation
dress. When I wore it on my graduation
day, I felt the love and embrace of my “Good Samaritan”. Way back then, I was
not so aware of how the experienced of being loved by people influenced my
views in life. It helps me become more understanding of others; more
compassionate, more caring and loving. It transformed me to be a better
person. I had this realization when I
have the opportunity to get involved in the different apostolates of our
Institute. When people come to me for
help, I can easily empathize with them.
I can readily give time to listen and try to help them in my own little
way. My “Good Samaritan” taught me to be
a “Better Samaritan”. I suppose the
‘wounded man’ in the parable will find his way to pay back the goodness done to
him by helping those who are in need of his help.
I
know my little way of being a “Better Samaritan” is still too far from what I
need to do to inherit eternal life. But I also believe that I have started a
journey on my right foot. We must continually ask today: “What must we do to do
the works God requires?” (John 6:28). The answer to this question is a big
challenge to all of us. Are you willing to take the challenge?
Nota Bene: My Good
Samaritans were my landladies: Consolacion “Lacion” Vergara) and Crisanta “Santa”
Vergara from Lian, Batangas
Nonetheless, I know that
there is SOMEONE Who controlled the situation, Who did not allow me to stop my
studies. Later, He called me to the Religious Life. He is truly my “GOOD
SAMARITAN” −
the BEST SAMARITAN for everyone − JESUS CHRIST.
ABOUT THE SHARER:
SR. MA. LORENZA S.
SAJUL, OP is
a professed religious of the Congregación
de Religiosas Misioneras de Santo Domingo. She is
presently the Directress of Santa Catalina Ladies
Residence in Manila.
KEYWORDS:
Ordinary Time, Cycle C, Dominican, OP Sisters, Love,
Gratitude, Neighbor, Tears, Good Samaritan, Vocation
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