Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 10:25-37
October 3, 2022 | Monday

Today’s Gospel

Then a teacher of the law came and began putting Jesus to the test. And he said, “Master, what shall I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus re plied, “What is written in the law? How do you understand it?” The man answered, “It is written: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus replied, “What a good answer! Do this and you shall live.” The man wanted to justify his question, so he asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus then said, “There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him and went off, leaving him half-dead. It happened that a priest was going along that road and saw the man, but passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite saw the man, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan also was going that way; and when he came upon the man, he was moved with compassion. He went over to him, and cleaned his wounds with oil and wine, and wrapped them in bandages. Then he put him on his own mount, and brought him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day, he had to set off; but he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and whatever you spend on him, I will repay when I return.’” Jesus then asked, “Which of these three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The teacher of the law answered, “The one who had mercy on him.” And Jesus said, “Then go and do the same.”

Today’s Reflection:

Our Gospel reading today presents the famous Parable of the Good Samaritan. Unlike priests and Levites who were expected to be good models to their neighbors through their exemplary service in the Temple, the Samaritan is the authentic model of love. Although he was considered to be sinful because the Jews accused him to have belonged to a pagan tribe punished due to its idolatry and iniquity, Jesus commends his acts of treating a victim “with mercy” (v. 37). The Lord encourages us to be like the Good Samaritan by living a life free from spiritual and moral wrongdoings. We can only arrive at this freedom if our conscience is no longer dominated by binding scruples or legal constraint. By showing pity, compassion and sympathy towards others, we are actually demonstrating God’s mercy, loving-kindness, and fidelity to our neighbors. /Vulnerasti, 2022