15TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME C

WHAT MAKES A GOOD SAMARITAN?

We have classic ideas about a “Good Samaritan.” Radio stations announce that a “good samaritan” returned a lost bag to its rightful owner without getting anything from the find.  A charitable institution reports about a “good samaritan” making a big donation while remaining anonymous.

In the Gospel today (Lk 10), the Good Samaritan really performs a good work. He personally helps somebody in need. He also uses his resources to help, by paying for the upkeep of the needy person.  But before the Samaritan comes into the picture two other righteous Jews pass by.

There was the priest, who was always religious and pious. There was the Levite who was always present in the Temple.  They passed by. They saw the wounded, dying man by the side of the road. As human beings perhaps they felt pity for the robbery victim. Im sure they were touched at the sight of a suffering fellowman. But they had other things in their mind and so they need to quickly go away.

But the Samaritan was different. He didn’t only see the bloody mess the man was in. He didn’t only feel something in his heart. The gospel said he “felt compassion” (v. 33). What is this compassion? And why did it make the samaritan stand out among that day’s passersby and thus become “good”? 

Compassion is mercy-in-action.  It is like the mercy of God for it is not mere feeling, not mere word, not only good intention, not just a burning desire to help.

 Compassion means acting so as to manifest your love. Without saying a word, the Samaritan stopped on his tracks, bound the wounds of the man, lifted him up in his own animal, and sought a place for him to stay and to heal.  Nothing grandiose, nothing dramatic.

Everyday, we encounter wounded people, yes, more wounded than us. Some of them need someone who will listen to their story. Others need an encouraging word after a disastrous experience. Still a person may need just a smile or a tap on the shoulder or a friendly hug to feel less alone and unhappy.

Is the Lord asking you to have compassion? Is he inspiring you to show your mercy-in-action? Let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us the boldness to be a good samaritan to someone this week.