Monday of the Twenty-seventh Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 461
Lectionary: 461
Brothers and sisters:
I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking
the one who called you by the grace of Christ
for a different gospel (not that there is another).
But there are some who are disturbing you
and wish to pervert the Gospel of Christ.
But even if we or an angel from heaven
should preach to you a gospel
other than the one that we preached to you,
let that one be accursed!
As we have said before, and now I say again,
if anyone preaches to you a gospel
other than the one that you received,
let that one be accursed!
Am I now currying favor with human beings or God?
Or am I seeking to please people?
If I were still trying to please people,
I would not be a slave of Christ.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
that the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it,
but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking
the one who called you by the grace of Christ
for a different gospel (not that there is another).
But there are some who are disturbing you
and wish to pervert the Gospel of Christ.
But even if we or an angel from heaven
should preach to you a gospel
other than the one that we preached to you,
let that one be accursed!
As we have said before, and now I say again,
if anyone preaches to you a gospel
other than the one that you received,
let that one be accursed!
Am I now currying favor with human beings or God?
Or am I seeking to please people?
If I were still trying to please people,
I would not be a slave of Christ.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
that the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it,
but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 111:1B-2, 7-8, 9 AND
10C
R. (5) The
Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
His praise endures forever.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
His praise endures forever.
R. The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 13:34
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 10:25-37
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus 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."
"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."
Meditation: "Go and do likewise"
If God is all-loving and compassionate, then why is
there so much suffering and evil in this world? Many agnostics
refuse to believe in God because of this seemingly imponderable problem. If God
is love then evil and suffering must be eliminated in all its forms. What is
God's answer to this human dilemma? Jesus' parable about a highway robbery
gives us a helpful hint. Jesus told this dramatic story in response to a devout
Jew who wanted to understand how to apply God's great commandment of love to
his everyday life circumstances. In so many words this religious-minded Jew
said: "I want to love God as best as I can and I want to love my neighbor
as well. But how do I know that I am fulfilling my duty to love my neighbor as
myself?"
Jesus must have smiled when he heard this man
challenge him to explain one's duty towards their neighbor. For the Jewish
believer the law of love was plain and simple: "treat your neighbor as you
would treat yourself." The real issue for this believer was the correct
definition of who is "my neighbor". He understood
"neighbor" to mean one's fellow Jew who belonged to the same covenant
which God made with the people of Israel. Up to a certain point, Jesus agreed
with this sincere expert but, at the same time, he challenged him to see that
God's view of neighbor went far beyond his narrow definition.
God's love and mercy
extends to all
Jesus told a parable to show how wide God's love and mercy is towards every fellow human being. Jesus' story of a brutal highway robbery was all too familiar to his audience. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho went through a narrow winding valley surrounded by steep rocky cliffs. Many wealthy Jews from Jerusalem had winter homes in Jerico. This narrow highway was dangerous and notorious for its robbers who could easily ambush their victim and escape into the hills. No one in his right mind would think of traveling through this dangerous highway alone. It was far safer to travel with others for protection and defense.
Jesus told a parable to show how wide God's love and mercy is towards every fellow human being. Jesus' story of a brutal highway robbery was all too familiar to his audience. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho went through a narrow winding valley surrounded by steep rocky cliffs. Many wealthy Jews from Jerusalem had winter homes in Jerico. This narrow highway was dangerous and notorious for its robbers who could easily ambush their victim and escape into the hills. No one in his right mind would think of traveling through this dangerous highway alone. It was far safer to travel with others for protection and defense.
Our prejudice gets in
the way of mercy
So why did the religious leaders refuse to give any help when they saw a half-dead victim lying by the roadside? Didn't they recognize that this victim was their neighbor? And why did a Samaritan, an outsider who was despised by the Jews, treat this victim with special care at his own expense as he would care for his own family? Who was the real neighbor who showed brotherly compassion and mercy? Jesus makes the supposed villain, the despised Samaritan, the merciful one as an example for the status conscious Jews. Why didn't the priest and Levite stop to help? The priest probably didn't want to risk the possibility of ritual impurity. His piety got in the way of charity. The Levite approached close to the victim, but stopped short of actually helping him. Perhaps he feared that bandits were using a decoy to ambush him. The Levite put personal safety ahead of saving his neighbor.
So why did the religious leaders refuse to give any help when they saw a half-dead victim lying by the roadside? Didn't they recognize that this victim was their neighbor? And why did a Samaritan, an outsider who was despised by the Jews, treat this victim with special care at his own expense as he would care for his own family? Who was the real neighbor who showed brotherly compassion and mercy? Jesus makes the supposed villain, the despised Samaritan, the merciful one as an example for the status conscious Jews. Why didn't the priest and Levite stop to help? The priest probably didn't want to risk the possibility of ritual impurity. His piety got in the way of charity. The Levite approached close to the victim, but stopped short of actually helping him. Perhaps he feared that bandits were using a decoy to ambush him. The Levite put personal safety ahead of saving his neighbor.
God expects us to be
merciful as he is merciful
What does Jesus' story tell us about true love for one's neighbor? First, we must be willing to help even if others brought trouble on themselves through their own fault or negligence. Second, our love and concern to help others in need must be practical. Good intentions and showing pity, or emphathizing with others, are not enough. And lastly, our love for others must be as wide and as inclusive as God's love. God excludes no one from his care and concern. God's love is unconditional. So we must be ready to do good to others for their sake, just as God is good to us.
What does Jesus' story tell us about true love for one's neighbor? First, we must be willing to help even if others brought trouble on themselves through their own fault or negligence. Second, our love and concern to help others in need must be practical. Good intentions and showing pity, or emphathizing with others, are not enough. And lastly, our love for others must be as wide and as inclusive as God's love. God excludes no one from his care and concern. God's love is unconditional. So we must be ready to do good to others for their sake, just as God is good to us.
Jesus not only taught God's way of love, he also showed
how far God was willing to go to share in our suffering and to restore us to
wholeness of life and happiness. Jesus overcame sin, suffering, and death
through his victory on the cross. His death brought us freedom from slavery to
sin and the promise of everlasting life with God. He willingly shared in our
suffering to bring us to the source of true healing and freedom from sin and
oppression. True compassion not only identifies and emphathises with the one
who is in pain, but takes that pain on oneself in order to bring freedom and
restoration.
The cross shows us God's
perfect love and forgiveness
Jesus truly identified with our plight, and he took the burden of our sinful condition upon himself. He showed us the depths of God's love and compassion, by sharing in our suffering and by offering his life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins upon the cross. His suffering is redemptive because it brings us healing and restoration and the fulness of eternal life. God offers us true freedom from every form of oppression, sin, and suffering. And that way is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Are you ready to embrace the cross of Christ, to suffer for his sake, and to lay down your life out of love for your neighbor?
Jesus truly identified with our plight, and he took the burden of our sinful condition upon himself. He showed us the depths of God's love and compassion, by sharing in our suffering and by offering his life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins upon the cross. His suffering is redemptive because it brings us healing and restoration and the fulness of eternal life. God offers us true freedom from every form of oppression, sin, and suffering. And that way is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Are you ready to embrace the cross of Christ, to suffer for his sake, and to lay down your life out of love for your neighbor?
"Lord Jesus, may your love always be the foundation
of my life. Free me from every fear and selfish-concern that I may freely give
myself in loving service to others, even to the point of laying my life down
for their sake."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: God desires to be our neighbor, by
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"God our Lord wished to be called our neighbor.
The Lord Jesus Christ meant that he was the one who gave help to the man lying
half-dead on the road, beaten and left by the robbers. The prophet said in
prayer, 'As a neighbor and as one's own brother, so did I please' (Psalm 34:14
). Since the divine nature is far superior and above our human nature, the
command by which we are to love God is distinct from our love of our neighbor.
He shows mercy to us because of his own goodness, while we show mercy to one
another because of God's goodness. He has compassion on us so that we may enjoy
him completely, while we have compassion on another that we may completely
enjoy him. (excerpt from CHRISTIAN
INSTRUCTION 33)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, LUKE 10:25-37
Weekday
Galatians 1:6-12, Psalm 111)
Weekday
Galatians 1:6-12, Psalm 111)
KEY VERSE: "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" (v. 27).
TO KNOW: A scribe, who was well versed in the Law of Moses, asked Jesus: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus asked him what was written in the law. The scribe answered correctly that he must love God and neighbor as himself. Hoping to put Jesus to the test, the scribe asked: "Who is my neighbor?" In his parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus reversed the scribe's narrow view of 'neighbor' as only those who belonged to the people of Israel. Jesus contrasted the attitudes of three witnesses to the scene of a victim who had been beaten half-dead. A priest and Levite passed him by but they did not stop to help, probably because they were on their way to the holy city of Jerusalem, and did not want to risk the possibility of ritual impurity. Their piety got in the way of their charity. But an outsider, a Samaritan, came to the man's rescue. There was deep hostility between Jews and Samaritans, and the words 'Samaritan' and 'neighbor' were generally not used together. But Jesus made the supposed villain into the hero. He asked the scribe, "Who was neighbor to the wounded man?" And the scribe answered, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus told this legal expert to go and do likewise to the "neighbor" he would meet along the way.
TO LOVE: Do I have compassion toward people who do not meet my standards?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to see you in the suffering people I meet each day.
Columbus Day
The first recorded celebration of Columbus Day in the United States took place on October 12, 1792. Organized by The Society of St. Tammany, also known as the Columbian Order, it commemorated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landing. The 400th anniversary of the event, however, inspired the first official Columbus Day holiday in the United States. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation urging Americans to mark the day. The public responded enthusiastically, organizing school programs, plays, and community festivities across the country.
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men's fraternal benefit society that was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
Canadian Thanksgiving
In 1578 English explorer, Martin Frobisher held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. This is considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving. At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arriving in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held feasts of thanks. After the Seven Year's War ended in 1763, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving. On January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed..."A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.
Monday 8 October
2018
Galatians 1:6-12. Psalm 110(111):1-2, 7-10. Luke 10:25-37.
The Lord will remember his covenant forever – Psalm
110(111):1-2, 7-10.
‘Go, and do the same yourself.’
The Good Samaritan story is one of the most popular Gospel
narratives used by organisations and those who seek to serve the poor. There is
even an Australian congregation of women called the Good Samaritans. The Good
Samaritan, someone whom Jesus’ culture looked down upon, follows one of the two
most important commandments, to love his neighbour as himself. While the priest
and the Levite pass by on the other side, the Samaritan takes the injured man,
tends his wounds and pays in advance for his care. Think of ways in which you
too might go about offering this service, and reflect on the times where you
crossed to the other side of the road.
Saint John Leonardi
Saint of the Day for October 8
(1541 – October 9, 1609)
 |
| Body of Saint John Leonardi | Santa Maria in Portico in Campitelli, Rome |
Saint John Leonardi’s Story
“I am only one person! Why should I do anything? What good would
it do?” Today, as in any age, people seem plagued with the dilemma of getting
involved. In his own way, John Leonardi answered these questions. He chose to
become a priest.
After his ordination, Fr. Leonardi became very active in the
works of the ministry, especially in hospitals and prisons. The example and
dedication of his work attracted several young laymen who began to assist him.
They later became priests themselves.
John lived after the Protestant Reformation and the Council of
Trent. He and his followers projected a new congregation of diocesan priests.
For some reason the plan, which was ultimately approved, provoked great
political opposition. John was exiled from his home town of Lucca, Italy, for
almost the entire remainder of his life. He received encouragement and help
from Saint Philip Neri, who gave him his lodgings—along with the care of
his cat!
In 1579, John formed the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine,
and published a compendium of Christian doctrine that remained in use until the
19th century.
Father Leonardi and his priests became a great power for good in
Italy, and their congregation was confirmed by Pope Clement in 1595. John died
at the age of 68 from a disease caught when tending those stricken by the
plague.
By the deliberate policy of the founder, the Clerks Regular of
the Mother of God have never had more than 15 churches, and today form only a
very small congregation. The Liturgical Feast of Saint John Leonardi is
October 9.
Reflection
What can one person do? The answer is plenty! In the life
of each saint, one thing stands clear: God and one person are a majority! What
one individual, following God’s will and plan for his or her life, can do is
more than our mind could ever hope for or imagine. Each of us, like John
Leonardi, has a mission to fulfill in God’s plan for the world. Each one of us
is unique and has been given talent to use for the service of our brothers and
sisters for the building up of God’s kingdom.
Saint John Leonardi is the Patron Saint of:
Pharmacists
LECTIO DIVINA: LUKE 10:25-37
Lectio Divina:
Monday, October 8, 2018
1) Opening prayer
Father,
your love for us
surpasses all our hopes and desires.
Forgive our failings,
keep us in your peace
and lead us in the way of salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
your love for us
surpasses all our hopes and desires.
Forgive our failings,
keep us in your peace
and lead us in the way of salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 10,25-37
A lawyer stood up and, to test Jesus,
asked, 'Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, 'What
is written in the Law? What is your reading of it?' He replied, 'You must love
the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your
strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.' Jesus said to
him, 'You have answered right, do this and life is yours.' But the man was
anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?' In
answer Jesus said, 'A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho
and fell into the hands of bandits; they stripped him, beat him and then made
off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the
same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
In the same way a Levite who came to the
place saw him, and passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan traveller who came on
him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up to him and bandaged
his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him onto his own mount
and took him to an inn and looked after him.
Next day, he took out two denarii and
handed them to the innkeeper and said, "Look after him, and on my way back
I will make good any extra expense you have."
Which of these three, do you think,
proved himself a neighbor to the man who fell into the bandits' hands?'
He replied, 'The one who showed pity
towards him.' Jesus said to him, 'Go, and do the same yourself.'
3) Reflection
● The Gospel today presents the parable
of the Good Samaritan. To mediate on a parable is the same thing as to look
deeper into our life to discover in it the call of God. In describing the long
journey of Jesus to Jerusalem (Lk 9, 51 to 19, 28), Luke helps the communities
to better understand what the Good News of the Kingdom consists of. He does it
by presenting persons who come to speak with Jesus and ask Him questions. These
are real questions from the people of the time of Jesus and they are also real
questions asked by the communities of the time of Luke. Thus, today in the
Gospel, a doctor of the law asks: "What should I do to inherit eternal
life?" The response, both of the doctor and that of Jesus, helps
us to better understand the objective of the Law of God.
● Luke 10, 25-26: "What
should I do to inherit eternal life?" A doctor, who knew the law
wants to test Jesus and asks him: "What should I do to inherit
eternal life?" The doctor thinks that he has to do something in
order to be able to inherit. He wants to obtain the inheritance through his own
personal effort. But an inheritance is not merited. We receive an inheritance
by the simple fact of being son or daughter. "Therefore, you are
no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir by God's own
act". (Ga 4, 7). As sons and daughters we can do nothing to merit
the inheritance. We can lose it however!
● Luke 10, 27-28: The answer of
the doctor. Jesus responds asking a new question: "What is written in the
Law? The doctor responds correctly. Uniting two phrases of the Law, He
says: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with
all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor
as yourself". This phrase comes from Deuteronomy (Dt 6, 5) and
from Leviticus (Lv 19,18). Jesus approves of the response and says: "Do
this and life is yours!" What is important, the principal thing,
is to love God! But God comes to me in my neighbor. The neighbor is the
revelation of God for me. And because of this, I have to love my neighbor also
with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my
mind!
● Luke 10, 29: "And who is
my neighbor?" Wanting to justify himself, the doctor asks: "And
who is my neighbor?" He wants to know: "In which neighbor
God comes to me?" That is, which is the person close to me who is the
revelation of God for me? For the Jews the expression "neighbor"
was linked to the clan, it was not a neighbor. Anyone who did not belong to the
clan was not a neighbor. According to Deuteronomy, they could exploit the
"foreigner", but not the "neighbor" (Dt 15, 1-3). Proximity
was based on bonds of race and of blood. Jesus has a different way of seeing
which He expresses in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
● Luke 10, 30-36: The parable.
a) Luke 10, 30: The attack along
the road of Jerusalem toward Jericho. The Desert of Judah is between
Jerusalem and Jericho, which is a refuge of rebels, marginalized, and where one
could be attacked. Jesus tells a real fact which had happened many times.
"A man was on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the
hands of bandits; they stripped him, beat him and then made off, leaving him
half dead".
b) Luke 10, 31-32: A priest
passed by travelling on the same road, then a Levite passed by. By
chance a priest passed by, and immediately after, a Levite passed. They are
officials of the Temple of the official religion. Both of them saw the man who
had been attacked, but passed by and did nothing. Why did they do nothing?
Jesus does not say. He allows one to guess with whom one identifies oneself.
This must have happened many times, in the time of Jesus as well as in the time
of Luke. This also happens today: a person from the Church goes by close to a
poor person without helping him. It could also be that the priest and the Levite
had a justification: "He is not my neighbor!" or, "he is impure
and if I touch him, I will also be impure". And today: "If I help
him, I will miss Sunday Mass and will commit a mortal sin!"
c) Luke 10, 33-35: A Samaritan
passed by. Immediately after, a Samaritan who was travelling passed
by. He saw the man and moved with compassion, he got close, bandaged his
wounds, lifted him onto his own mount and took him to an inn and looked after
him during the night. The following day he took out two denarii and handed them
to the innkeeper. That was the salary of ten days and he tells him: "Look
after him and on my way back I will make good any extra expenses you
have!" This is the concrete and effective action. It is the
progressive action: to arrive, to see, to be moved with compassion, to get
close and to act. The parable says "A Samaritan who was
travelling". Jesus was also travelling up to Jerusalem. Jesus is
the Good Samaritan. The communities should be the Good Samaritan.
● Luke 10, 36-37: Which of these
three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who fell into the
bandits' hands?" At the beginning the doctor had asked: "Who
is my neighbor?" Behind the question was the concern for him. He
wanted to know: God orders me to love whom, in a way to be able to have my
conscience in peace and be able to say, “I have done everything that God has
asked me to do". Jesus asks another question: "Which of these
three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands
of the bandits?" The condition of neighbor does not depend on the
race, on the fact that they are relatives, on sympathy, on closeness or on
religion. Humanity is not divided into neighbor and not neighbor. To know who
is our neighbor depends on us: to arrive, to see, to be moved with compassion
and to get close. If you get close, the other becomes your neighbor! It
depends on you and not on the other! Jesus overturns everything and takes away
from the doctor the security which could come to him from the Law.
● The Samaritans. The
word Samaritan comes from Samaria, the capital of the Kingdom of Israel in the
North. After the death of Solomon, in the year 1931 before Christ, the ten
tribes of the North separated themselves from the kingdom of Judea in the South
and formed an independent kingdom (1 K 12, 1-33). The Kingdom of the North
survived approximately for 200 years. In 722, its territory was invaded by
Assyria. A large part of its population was deported (2 K 17, 5-6) and people
from other places went to Samaria (2 K 17, 24). There was a mixture of races
and of religions (2 K 17, 25-33), and the Samaritans were born from these. The
Jews of the South despised the Samaritans considering them unfaithful and
adorers of false gods (2 K 17, 34-41). Many prejudices existed against the
Samaritans. They were not well accepted. It was said of them that they had an
erroneous doctrine and did not form part of the People of God. Some even went
so far as to say that to be a Samaritan was something of the Devil (Jn 8, 48).
Most likely, the cause of this hatred was not only a question of race and of
religion, but also a political-economic problem, linked to the possession of
the land. This rivalry even existed in the time of Jesus. But Jesus places the
Samaritans as a model for others.
4) Personal questions
● The Samaritan of the parable was not
of the Jewish people, but he did what Jesus asks. Does this happen today? Do
you know people who do not go to Church but live what the Gospel asks? Today,
who are the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan?
● The doctor asks: "Who is my
neighbor?" Jesus asks: "Who was the neighbor of the man who was the
victim of the bandits"? There are two different points of view: the doctor
asks starting from himself. Jesus asks starting from the needs of the other.
Which is my perspective or point of view?
5) Concluding prayer
I give thanks to Yahweh with all my
heart,
in the meeting-place of honest people, in the assembly.
Great are the deeds of Yahweh,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. (Ps 111,1-2)
in the meeting-place of honest people, in the assembly.
Great are the deeds of Yahweh,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. (Ps 111,1-2)
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