|
First
Reading
|
Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
| Deuteronomy 30:9–14 |
Psalm
25:1–9 |
Colossians 1:1–14 |
Luke 10:25–37
|
It's easy for us to make caricatures of the characters in the parable of the Good Samaritan, and that may blunt its impact for us. Those who refused to help the traveler beaten and left on the road by thieves were not bad people. Rather they were very ordinary people, like many of the people in the Bible. They behaved as many people we know, including ourselves. They held back, for it was considerably safer to think about the possible dangers and then to pass by. Nor was the Samaritan a hero simply because he held unorthodox beliefs. True, to many of Jesus’ original hearers, Samaritans were thoroughly despised. But today among us, I wonder if Jesus might have used the example of a Jehovah’s Witness, or Seventh Day Adventist. They are not bad people, they are ordinary people, too. Jesus emphasized that any of these ordinary people were capable of being the one who showed pity, the one who stopped to pay attention.
Go and likewise show mercy," Jesus tells the one who asked, “Who is my neighbor?” In other words, in your own life, be your best self. If you are a lawyer, be an honest lawyer or a competent auto technician, or a conscientious social worker. Take the initiatives offered to you. Commit yourself to a life that leads to helpful and caring relationships with others. That is what the commandment to love one's neighbor is all about. It is not about limitations and possible excuses; it is about recognizing everyone is part of the human family and we are all related. In a similar matter, when Peter would ask Jesus how often should I forgive my brother, Jesus would reply I don’t want you to teach you to count Peter, I want you to learn the nature of forgiveness.
Jesus was well aware that life could be dangerous, like the notorious Jericho road itself. Jesus knew well that there are thieves and wolves disguised as sheep. Nonetheless, we don't have to be heroes to take initiative. Opportunities do not need to be sought from beyond the sea, nor brought down from the sky1 in super feats of courage and moral strength. Faith is often simple commitment to life in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity. There are many reasons why we don't make all sorts of commitments. Again, people of faith are simply people of faith.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is inevitably read in July when people are going off on vacations or short breaks. You don't have to watch the Simpson's family summer vacation on television to know that all sorts of things could happen when you leave home. The car could break down, the children could get sick, it could rain every day, the beach could be covered with jellyfish, the Happy Valley campground could become the Swampy Valley overnight, and the roach motel chain have the only rooms available. and on and on. Even a day’s picnic could lead to not finding a clean picnic table, of ants invading the food. We could back off and not go anywhere. Yet, we make the commitment for picnic or vacation, for it seems to us to offer fun, a change of scenery, a chance for happy surprises and refreshing memories. Despite all the uncertainties, we make a choice, a choice for what we trust will be a more abundant time than simply moping about at home. I wonder if this is not why people at picnic areas and campgrounds tend to be more friendly and helpful to each other than they would if they were parked next to each other at the mall.
So go to Swampy Valley Campground or Jellyfish beach or Pirate World Amusement park with your friends, or grandchildren, roommates, or whomever. Go to Stewart Park or the city pool. It is possible that if someone in the camping spot next to you comes over to borrow a few matches because he has used all of his trying to start a campfire, you will be able not only to supply the matches, but to show him the proper way to lay and light the fire. If someone is having trouble backing his camper into the spot, you will not just shout directions, but will offer to get in the cab and back it in for him. Perhaps you will be able not only to invite a neighbor’s three children to go swimming with your two for the whole afternoon, but will also invite the children for supper.
It may not be a big deal for you, and that's the point. That's the danger in seeing what the “Good” Samaritan did as a really big deal. It is not so much a big deal, as it is a choice. While it is true that the Samaritan genuinely cared about the welfare of the victim and offered real help rather than a passing and easy handout, the Samaritan then continued on his way. It didn’t change his life. He didn’t give up his whole future. There is no implication that the Samaritan and the one who fell among thieves ever saw each other again. Again it was really no big deal. Perhaps Jesus didn’t intend to make what the Samaritan did seem as terribly extraordinary, precisely because he wanted what the Samaritan did to become for us very ordinary.
1Cf. Deuteronomy 30:9-16
And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
