Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

Reflection:

The gospel of today is from Luke 10:25-37 which is the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I know you all heard about this parable yet not all have understood its deep meaning. The gospel is too precious that we need to know who are who and what to do to fulfill this.

The gospel from Luke 10:25-37 talks about the good Samaritan. So, who is this good Samaritan anyway? A good Samaritan is the representation of a good neighbor that is willing to help others.

Jesus told us that to inherit the eternal life in heaven, we must all be a good Samaritan, a good neighbor. So does it have to mean that we need to show goodness and kindness to everybody? Goodness and kindness is the result of being a pure heart. This is what it means to be good all the time without any taint of fakeness in us.

Being good to someone doesn’t need publicity. You help even if there is no one watching. You are ready to help your fellowmen without cameras. You are always available to the aid and service to others because you know that this is what your heart wants.

Luke 10:25-37 is a reminder that our neighbors don’t have to be adjacent houses living with us. It doesn’t have to be our nearest friend’s house either. To be a good neighbor means you are willing to give help to people that needs your help. These people are those who cannot stand for themselves. The needy, the sick, the children, the abandoned, the mothers and many more.

This is what it means in the gospel of Luke 10:25-37 to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Going to church every Sunday doesn’t’ even warrant that you are a good neighbor. Showing people that you give donations do not make you a good Samaritan. It is always inside your heart and the goodness of your soul that will reflect in every move you take.

Realizations: 

Luke 10:25-37 is very important to remind us today of the world we are living in. Recently, people do help others but they always have cameras on them to record how they help them. Our leaders will aid those who are victims of natural disasters but recorded it. No one is serious in helping others anymore without any cameras with them. 

As normal citizens of God, we must know how to extend help without praise. The true praise we must earn is that what we aim from God in heaven. Only then we can be all good Samaritans in our own little ways. – Clea | Helpline PH