7-14-19 The Good Samaritan

July 14, 2019  -  The Good Samaritan
  

Image © LUMO Project

Reading I:
Deuteronomy
30:10-14

Psalm:  69

Reading II:
Colossians 1:15-20

Gospel: 
Luke 10: 25-37


“Good Samaritan” has become a common expression to refer to a person who goes out of his or her way to help a stranger in need. Many are not aware of the fact that the expression comes from the “Parable of the Good Samaritan” preached by Jesus Himself.

When a lawyer asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus reminds him of the law and asks him how he reads it. The lawyer responds that he must Love God and one’s neighbor as himself.  Jesus tells him he is correct. However, the lawyer challenges Jesus: “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus knows that the prevailing belief is that only Jews are neighbors. He wants to expand their understanding, so He tells the “Parable of the Good Samaritan.”

Jesus describes a situation in which a man is attacked by robbers, stripped and beaten half to death.  Both a priest and a lawyer saw him, but walked on, offering no help. However, a Samaritan has compassion, stops, cares for his wounds, takes him to an inn, continues to care for him, even pays the innkeeper to care for him. Then, he offers to repay the innkeeper if he spends more than he was given.

Jesus had two strong messages which He gives to his listeners. First, what He expects of His disciples is inclusiveness in their bringing the good news to others. The Samaritans were not respected by the Jews not just because they were from a different province, but because they were of mixed blood. They practiced a different religion, accepting only the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. On the other hand, the Jews also accepted other books of the Bible. The Samaritans had their temple in on Mount Gerizim, while the Jews had their temple in Jerusalem. The Samaritans were considered to be a low breed. You can imagine how they felt when Jesus presents to them a Samaritan as a model of brotherly love!

The second message Jesus gave was to call for generosity among his followers. He expects them to sacrifice their own comfort and goods to bring love and care to others. He asks them and us to reach out to those suffering from loneliness, prejudice, injustice, poverty, illness, etc. The Samaritan was traveling somewhere when he stopped to help, put himself out, interrupted his trip, paid for the care of the injured man and showed the type of kindness that Jesus wants of His followers. That is the same challenge Jesus gives to us.

 Reflection Question:  Can you give an example of  someone you know or heard about who acted as a “Good Samaritan?”

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

El Buen Samaritano

“Buen Samaritano” se ha convertido en una expresión común para referirse a una persona que hace todo lo posible por ayudar a un extraño necesitado. Muchos no son conscientes del hecho de que la expresión proviene de la “Parábola del Buen Samaritano” predicada por el mismo Jesús.

Cuando un abogado le pregunta a Jesús qué debe hacer para heredar la vida eterna, Jesús le recuerda la ley y le pregunta cómo la lee. El abogado responde que debe amar a Dios y al prójimo como a sí mismo. Jesús le dice que tiene razón. Sin embargo, el abogado desafía a Jesús: “¿Quién es mi prójimo?” Jesús sabe que la creencia predominante es que solo los judíos son vecinos. Él quiere expandir su comprensión, por lo que dice la  “Parábola del Buen Samaritano”.

Jesús describe una situación en la que un hombre es atacado por ladrones, desnudado y golpeado hasta la mitad. Tanto un sacerdote como un abogado lo vieron, pero siguieron caminando, sin ofrecer ayuda. Sin embargo, un samaritano tiene compasión, se detiene, cuida sus heridas, lo lleva a una posada, lo sigue cuidando, incluso le paga al posadero para que lo cuide. Luego, se ofrece a pagarle al posadero si gasta más de lo que le dieron.

Jesús tenía dos mensajes fuertes que él da a sus oyentes. Primero, lo que Él espera de sus discípulos es la inclusión en el hecho de llevar las buenas nuevas a los demás. Los samaritanos no eran respetados por los judíos no solo porque eran de una provincia diferente, sino porque eran de sangre mixta. Practicaban una religión diferente, aceptando solo la Torá, los primeros cinco libros de la Biblia. Por otro lado, los judíos también aceptaron otros libros de la Biblia. Los samaritanos tenían su templo en el Monte Gerizim, mientras que los judíos tenían su templo en Jerusalén. Los samaritanos eran considerados de una raza baja. ¡Puedes imaginarte cómo se sintieron cuando Jesús les presenta a un samaritano como modelo de amor fraternal!

El segundo mensaje que dio Jesús fue para pedir generosidad entre sus seguidores. Él espera que sacrifiquen su propia comodidad y bienes para traer amor y cuidado a los demás. Él nos pide que nos pongamos en contacto con aquellos que sufren de soledad, prejuicio, injusticia, pobreza, enfermedad, etc. Hombre y mostró el tipo de bondad que Jesús quiere de sus seguidores. Ese es el mismo desafío que Jesús nos da.

 Pregunta de Reflexión:  ¿Puede dar un ejemplo de alguien que conoce o escuchó acerca de quién actuó como un “buen samaritano”?

Comments:

Stephanie Morris, Ph. D, Historian, Certified Archivist, emerita

Moses told the people that they should “heed the voice of the Lord, your God, and keep his commandments. The scholar told Jesus that the law was to “love the Lord, your God with all your heart …and your neighbor as yourself.” Actions speak louder than words. By living the love of God we can draw more people to experience God’s love than by just talking about it.

Pat Chiaffa, ASBS

Jesus commands, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  We ask, “Who is my neighbor?” hoping for an affable response.

The door to her home, and her heart, was always open. As a child, I spent weekends at her house. My cousins, their friends, and usually an unrelated adult or two, hung out there as well. The environment was lively, as well as colorful.  Guests and visitors were of varied ages, races, beliefs, and interests. My memory is of a big old house with a huge “parlor” which, at Christmas time, held the biggest tree imaginable. The magical thing was that Santa always left a gift for whoever happened to be there during that season. I recall times when entire families “visited,” and stayed indefinitely. It wasn’t until I was much older that I learned they had no other place to live. Then there was Charlie. Charlie was a middle-aged single man without any family. He was a truck driver, on the road a lot, but in between road trips, he needed a place to stay. He became a boarder at the house and found a family that welcomed him as a member. He lived there for a very long season of life until his health deteriorated to the point he needed skilled care and transitioned to a facility.  Aunt Doris was a professional singer and the band practiced in the parlor; music, singing and laughter filled the room. As we grew up, married, and had our own children, we just kept coming back. Whenever any of our kids, or extended family members got sick, Aunt Doris was the one we reached out to for prayer. To this day, I believe she had a direct line to Jesus. She consoled individuals through divorces and she continued to welcome the ex-spouses who returned to her “sanctuary” for her wise counsel and unconditional love. 

 My aunt had very little money but we never realized she was poor because she created an atmosphere of abundance. Spaghetti dinners seemed like a feast in Italy as she created an ambiance to resemble fine dining. Hot dogs were the centerpiece of a fun-filled indoor picnic. She nourished many hungry stomachs, broken hearts and wounded souls from the hearth of her loving heart and the depths of her love of God and His hurting children. Aunt Doris cared; she was present to those in need. She was willing to enter into the lives of others, to listen attentively, and to share their pain. When she learned that the father of a family down the street lost his job right after Thanksgiving, she got to work making “shoe boxes” filled with age-appropriate goodies for each of the eight children so they would have something to open on Christmas morning.

The church was full on the day of her funeral Mass, a testimony to her total gift of self. A community of unrelated people, united, as we exchanged stories of how Doris C. contributed to healing our common brokenness. As the priest who celebrated Mass commented, she truly understood the connection between loving God and serving neighbor. 

She lived a good Samaritan life demonstrating that compassion has no boundaries. She was the good neighbor who crossed the road to minister to the hurting, disenfranchised, and less fortunate. To Aunt Doris, the person who ends up dying in the ditch is the one who distances himself/ herself from others by judging them as being less than worthy of his/her time and attention. 

Being a good neighbor begets good neighbors. Jesus’ wisdom holds the vision of the peaceful kingdom right in our own backyard! Let us pray for an attitude of abundance so that we are able to share of ourselves with others with ease and grace.

The Samaritan Woman - Mar. 4, 2018

The Third Sunday of Lent 
Year B

Reading I:   Exodus 17:3-7

Psalm:  95

Reading II:  Romans 5: 1-2, 5-8

Gospel:  John 4:5-42


The description of Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman in John’s Gospel has always touched me deeply. How sensitive Jesus is in his approach to her. First, he puts Himself in a vulnerable position by being one who is requesting a favor. He is very thirsty in an area where access to water can become a matter of life or death.

Jesus speaks to the woman with great respect in a place where women are considered inferior and the possessions of their husbands. In addition, He risks criticism as He is talking publicly with a woman, especially a Samaritan.

The woman is startled by Jesus’ request and questions his being a Jew who is asking a Samaritan for a drink. Jesus gently responds that if she knew who He was, she would have asked Him for “living water.”  Puzzled, she questions how He could give her water without a bucket to draw it up from the deep cistern.

Then, the woman wonders where Jesus would get the “living water.” She recalls her ancestor Jacob and his provision of the well. Finally, she questions: “Are you greater than our father Jacob?” Then she says: “I know the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when He comes, He will tell us everything.” Jesus simply replies, “I am He, the one speaking with you.” You can imagine her excitement and her response by going about sharing the good news.

When the woman spread the word that Jesus had told her all she had done, many of the Samaritans began to believe in Him.  Because they asked Him to stay with them, Jesus remained for two days. After his time with them, the Samaritans told the woman that they believed in Him not because of her words, but what they had heard for themselves.

How blessed we are to have such a loving, caring, patient, sensitive, and understanding Savior!!!  Praise His Name! Praise His holy Name!!!

 Reflection Question:    One of the best ways to thank someone for his/her goodness is to pass it on.  How can we pass on the Lord’s goodness to us?

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

The Samaritan Woman

La descripción de la interacción de Jesús con la mujer samaritana en el Evangelio de Juan siempre me ha conmovido profundamente. Cuán sensible es Jesús en su enfoque hacia ella. Primero, se pone en una posición vulnerable siendo uno que está solicitando un favor. Él está muy sediento en un área donde el acceso al agua puede convertirse en una cuestión de vida o muerte.

Jesús habla a la mujer con gran respeto en un lugar donde las mujeres son consideradas inferiores y las posesiones de sus maridos. Además, corre el riesgo de ser criticado ya que está hablando públicamente con una mujer, especialmente un samaritano.

La mujer se sobresalta por la petición de Jesús y le pregunta si es judío y está pidiendo un trago a un samaritano. Jesús responde amablemente que si ella supiera quién era, le habría pedido “agua viva”. Perpleja, desconcertada, le pregunta cómo podría darle agua sin un balde para sacarla de la cisterna. 

Entonces, la mujer se pregunta dónde obtendría Jesús el “agua viva”. Ella recuerda a su antepasado Jacob y su provisión del pozo. Finalmente, ella pregunta: “¿Eres mayor que nuestro padre Jacob?” Luego dice: “Sé que viene el Mesías, el llamado Cristo; cuando Él venga, nos dirá todo”. Jesús simplemente responde: “Yo soy Él, el que está hablando contigo”. Puedes imaginar su emoción y su respuesta compartiendo las buenas nuevas.

Cuando la mujer corrió la voz de que Jesús le había dicho todo lo que había hecho, muchos de los samaritanos comenzaron a creer en él. Debido a que le pidieron que se quedara con ellos, Jesús permaneció por dos días. Después de su tiempo con ellos, los samaritanos le dijeron a la mujer que creían en Él no por sus palabras, sino por lo que habían oído por sí mismas.

¡Cuán afortunados somos de tener un Salvador tan amoroso, atento, paciente, sensible y comprensivo! ¡Alabado sea su nombre! ¡Alabado sea su santo nombre!

 Pregunta de reflexión:    Una de las mejores formas de agradecerle a alguien por su bondad es transmitiéndola. ¿Cómo podemos transmitir la bondad del Señor hacia nosotros?

Great is thy Faith - August 20, 2017

The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time  A


Reading I:  Is. 56: 1, 6-7

Psalm: 67

Reading II: Rom. 11:33-36

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

In this Sunday’s readings, The main theme is the universality of God’s love and mercy. While Jesus’ original mission was to the Lost Tribes of Israel, it soon expanded to include the Gentiles (non Jews). This is well illustrated in today’s Gospel.

The heart of Jesus goes out to the Canaanite woman who had traveled from afar to seek healing for her daughter. Although Jesus explains to her that His mission is to the Jewish people, she senses the love and mercy in His heart. The woman then persists in her pleading on behalf of her daughter. The strong faith she exhibited, drew from Jesus the touching comment: “O Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”

This is not the only example of Jesus’ openness to all people.
He cures the centurion’s servant, and he offers “living water” to a Samaritan woman. He even paints a Samaritan as a hero in his parable about the man attacked by robbers. When others walked by the severely injured man, a Samaritan stopped, bound up his wounds, took him to an inn and paid for his care. 

In this way, Jesus shows us that while it is important to care for our families, friends, and relatives, it is also important to reach out to others in an inclusive way. How is the Lord calling us to respond to the needs of others? It may be by simply being open to those who differ from us in some way: religion, race, nationality, philosophy, sexual preferences, temperament, or personality. To view us all as beloved children of God makes us accepting of all even when we disagree
with them.

On the other hand,  the Lord may be calling us to help someone different from ourselves, according to our specific resources,
gifts and talents. Pope Francis has encouraged Christians to follow the example of St. Katharine Drexel who reached out with her assistance to those who were of a different social status than she was. Taking the example of her wealthy parents, she assisted the poor with their material needs, education, and spirituality. She built many schools and churches for the needy.

In particular St. Katharine reached out to two oppressed groups of her time: African-Americans and Native Americans. The African Americans had just been released from slavery, but were not well educated. They had a difficult time finding employment and sometimes even went back to work for their former masters. 

Having seen the Reservations on which Native Americans were placed after their lands were taken from them, St. Katharine built schools and churches to improve their lives. She reached out to all people, no matter what their faith, or lack of faith.  

Also, St. Katharine founded a Religious Community, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, to assist her in all her ministries. Today, in addition to the Sisters, there is a lay branch of the Community called the Associates of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. These men and women, comprised of married and single individuals, also continue to carry on the ministries.

 Reflection:   Is there someone or a group whom you could help with your unique resources, gifts, or talents? Let us open our eyes and hearts and listen for the whisper of the Lord who embraced all. 

Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...

Grande es tu fe

En las lecturas de este domingo, el tema principal es la universalidad del amor y la misericordia de Dios. Mientras que la misión original de Jesús fue a las tribus perdidas de Israel, pronto se expandió para incluir a Los Gentiles (no judíos). Esto está bien ilustrado en el Evangelio de hoy.

El corazón de Jesús sale a la mujer cananea que había viajado desde lejos para buscar sanidad para su hija. Aunque Jesús le explica que Su misión es para el pueblo judío, ella siente el amor y la misericordia en Su corazón. La mujer entonces persiste en su súplica en nombre de su hija. La fe fuerte que ella exhibió, sacó de Jesús el conmovedor comentario: “¡Mujer, grande es tu fe! Que se haga por ti como quieras”.

Este no es el único ejemplo de la apertura de Jesús a todas las personas. Cura al siervo del centurión, y ofrece “agua viva” a una mujer samaritana. Incluso pinta a un samaritano como un héroe en su parábola sobre el hombre atacado por ladrones. Cuando otros caminaban por el hombre gravemente herido, un samaritano se detuvo, ató sus heridas, lo llevó a una posada y pagó por su cuidado.

De esta manera, Jesús nos muestra que si bien es importante cuidar a nuestras familias, amigos y parientes, también es importante llegar a los demás de una manera inclusiva. ¿Cómo nos llama el Señor a responder a las necesidades de los demás? Puede ser simplemente abriéndose a aquellos que difieren de nosotros de alguna manera: religión, raza, nacionalidad, filosofía, preferencias sexuales, temperamento o personalidad. Vernos a todos como hijos amados de Dios nos hace aceptar de todos, incluso cuando no estamos de acuerdo con ellos.

Por otra parte, el Señor puede estar llamándonos a ayudar a alguien diferente de nosotros mismos, de acuerdo con nuestros recursos específicos, Regalos y talentos. El Papa Francisco ha alentado a los cristianos a seguir el ejemplo de Santa Katharine Drexel, que se acercó con su ayuda a los que eran de un estatus social diferente que ella. Tomando el ejemplo de sus ricos padres, ayudó a los pobres con sus necesidades materiales, educación y espiritualidad. Ella construyó muchas escuelas e iglesias para los necesitados.

En particular, St. Katharine llegó a dos grupos oprimidos de su tiempo: los afroamericanos y los nativos americanos. Los afroamericanos acababan de ser liberados de la esclavitud, pero no estaban bien educados. Tuvieron dificultades para encontrar trabajo ya veces incluso volvieron a trabajar para sus antiguos maestros.

Habiendo visto las Reservas sobre las cuales los Nativos Americanos fueron colocados después de que sus tierras les fueron quitados, St. Katharine construyó escuelas e iglesias para mejorar sus vidas. Ella extendió la mano a toda la gente, sin importar su fe, o su falta de fe.

Además, St. Katharine fundó una comunidad religiosa, las Hermanas del Santísimo Sacramento, para ayudarla en todos sus ministerios. Hoy, además de las Hermanas, hay una rama laica de la Comunidad llamada Asociados de las Hermanas del Santísimo Sacramento. Estos hombres y mujeres, compuestos de individuos casados y solteros, también continúan llevando a cabo los ministerios.

 Reflexión:   ¿Hay alguien o un grupo al que podría ayudar con sus recursos únicos, regalos o talentos? Abramos nuestros ojos y corazones y escuchemos el susurro del Señor que abrazó a todos.