Dt 30:10-14
Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 or Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Col 1:15-20
Lk 10:25-37 Full Readings
Practicing the Law
Brethren, we have the law but do we understand it, and do we practice it. The first reading tells us that we know this law, it is not far from us, for it is written in our hearts. Our conscience and the Holy Spirit keeps reminding us of what good we are supposed and what we are to follow. Don't we sometimes ignore our conscience and do otherwise? If we are to practice the law, we have to understand first what it means and what requires us and that is why we see the teacher of the law of Moses comes to Jesus today and ask him what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus' response finds him with a quick answer, following the law of the love of God and neighbour. But did this scholar understand the meaning of the neighbour? No. To make him understand, Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan. When we read and reflect on this parable, truly speaking, which character do you identify yourself with? Let's get some glimpse on each character as you see where you belong as concerns following and practicing the law.
In his book, Secrets from Heaven, Father Sebastian Walshe offers a wonderful contemplation on Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who fell upon robbers is Adam, who is stripped by the devil of charity and justice and left wounded by original sin and its consequences. He is half-dead because the soul remains immortal but now the body is subject to death. The priest and Levite who walk by him are the sacrifices of the old covenant and the law of Moses which cannot heal man’s fallen state. Christ is the Samaritan, a foreigner whose “Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) and who out of pity for the plight of man came into human nature when “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The oil and wine he pours on the man is mercy and justice. The beast the Samaritan mounts the man on is Jesus’ human nature. The inn to which the man is brought is the Church, a “place of safety and healing in this life while we await the Lord’s return,” and the innkeeper’s care into which he places the man is St. Peter and the Apostles.
Perhaps, there are times we when we are like the wounded man, with this contemplation, let us see how Jesus truly loves us and comes to us when we seek him out. According to Pope Francis, “...The Lord comes to meet each one of us: he does not ignore us, he knows our sorrows; he knows how much we need help and consolation. He comes close to us and never abandons us. Each one of us should ask himself the question and answer in his heart: ‘Do I believe this? Do I believe that the Lord has compassion for me, just as I am, a sinner, with so many problems and so many things?’ Think of this and the answer is: ‘Yes!’ But each one must look into his heart to see if he has faith in this compassion of God, of the good God who comes close, who heals us, who caresses us. And if we refuse him, he waits: he is patient and is always at our side.”
But among the priest, the Levite, and the Good Samaritan, who practiced the law? It’s interesting that Jesus used a priest in the story as the first person to walk on the opposite side of the road. One thing this tells us is that too often we seek a so-called “exterior holiness” while, in truth, we lack authentic “interior holiness.” The priest can be seen as a symbol of those who claim to be Christian on the surface but fail to live their holiness in their actions. Without living true love of neighbor, we are frauds and do not live up to our sacred calling. A Levite who represents the prophets, may be those preach and talk about love of God and do not really practice it, those who "preach water and drink wine."
Surely the priest and the Levite knew that they should help him...didn’t they? It’s easy for us to judge them, but we do the same thing all the time. How often do we “pass by” because we’re embarrassed, because it would just be too awkward. The Good Samaritan, meanwhile, sees someone lying almost dead on the side of the road, hears his conscience nudge him to go to the man’s aid, and does it. The need for the other was more important than his own “awkwardness.” May we realize that awkwardness or human respect is never an excuse to leave others suffering. He practiced the law in its perfect truth. How will the world be if we all imitated this good Samaritan; if only we understand and practice the law and teachings of Christ in all their authenticity and truth.
Reflect today on which character you identify with in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Who is your neighbour and what a type of a neighbour are you to your fellows? Do you find it difficult to be like a good Samaritan? Ask for the graces of the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Let us Pray
Grant me Lord wisdom and understanding especially of your law and teachings that always and everywhere I may be delighted in practicing your law, the law of love of God and neighbour. Amen
Be blessed.
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