The readings for this coming Sunday(7/11) are at USCCB.org>>>
I am presiding at the 4:00pm (7/10) and the 8:00 & 9:30am (7/11).
The Good Samaritan has been read for ages in two ways. The first is to read it literally as Jesus' answer to what mercy, compassion or "neighborliness" looks like. The second way is in an allegorical sense as a description of what God has done for the human race in and through Jesus Christ.
I am leaning toward the second way this week. Humanity has "fallen in with robbers" through sin and is existing "half dead" or better only half alive off on the side of the path to life.
Sin-affected religion(which is half dead itself) can't save humanity, it can't get close enough(cfr the priest and the levite). Only Jesus in the person of the church can, through the remedy/means of the sacraments(wine and oil) get close enough to heal us and carry us to life.
Are we living life as the half alive human being dead in our attachment to sin and life in this world? Is our spiritual/religious life the half dead religious life that just keeps walking through life not in contact with Jesus who can fully save us? Are we not called to a new and fuller life as the Body of Christ that can connect with the totality of our humanity and bring that humanity, that life in the world to the fullness of life in Christ? I think so. What do you think?
3 comments:
The Matador’s words are making me hear in my mind some of what I think to be the most beautiful words in the Mass – “through Him, with Him, and in Him.” “Through” His love and invitation, joining our sacrifice together “with” His, we become one “in” Him. One Body, connected with Him and with each other. It is a wondrous thing this liturgy offers us – this opportunity to be in communion with Christ, thereby becoming a fuller member each week of His Body. I am understanding more and more that this is the way for humanity to live out our divinity – by embracing this connectedness not only with Jesus – but with each other through Jesus. The sacraments are such a great gift – celebrating, signifying, and strengthening us for what we are then called to live out throughout our lives.
I read a commentary on this passage once that went into detail about what it would have meant for each involved in the encounter. How does it feel to be the injured one who only receives help from his "enemy." Then again, how to explain your actions of mercy that are extended to your "enemy." This passage is so counter cultural and yet we don't think about that part. It is so familiar that we forget how much of gulf there was between them.
That could also relate to our distance from God because of our sin. And yet, God continues to reach across the gulf to bring us healing over and over again! May we remember Whose We Are and turn back to life.
Certainly Jesus "raised a fallen world" and we are in need of his mercy and compassion that are offered freely, as the Good Samaritan.
The parable has such strong social connotations as well though. The polarization around so many topics today (Health Care or Immigration to name two) shows that we are more and more a self-centered people (on the road to Jerico) ... "Why should I pay for "them" to receive health care? Build a wall to keep "those people" out ... etc. When the Samaritan told the inkeeper "I will pay on my return what this does not cover..." He took more responsiblity than the simple act of charity or mercy. And that is much food for thought. Are we "compassionate by proxy" as MArtin Luther King said (send money to victims of disasters, for example) or does our compassion impact our social outlook, opinions and dreams for a better society?
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