Samaritan and Good Samaritan

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 27th Week :  Monday*

*Gospel : Lk 10:25-37*

*First Reading : Jon 1:1:2:1-2, 11*

*Samaritan and Good Samaritan*

*1) Samaritan in the Parable*

In the parable of today we have different personalitis. 

The Robbers, the traveller, the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan

All of them can be identified with their profession 

In the Whole incident, Jesus tells the Scholar what they did. But Jesus never says some one is good or bad 

*2) Good Samaritan*

In the Entire episode the Samaritan was not called Good Samaritan. He is simply called as Samaritan

The Parable tell us what the Samaritan did and how he responded to the situation 

Towards the end Jesus says *Go and do likewise* like the Samaritan

So the Entire episode got the title *Good Samaritan*

None of them were called good, except the Samaritan

He became good Samaritan by doing what was good 

*3) Christian and Good Christian*

All of us are Christians by Baptism. But that is not sufficient. 

We need to become good Christians by doing what is good 

If some one is called as *Good Christian* that itself is a great title the follower of Jesus can have 

*4) The Criterion to become Good Christian*

Have a compassionate heart, which can understand others like the good Samaritan

Take care of the Wounds of others. Not only the physical wounds but the emotional, psychological, economical wounds 

Spend some of your valuable time for the needy 

Spend some of your resources for the needy 

Have a willingness to change your plans for the sake of the needy and suffering

Go out of the way, some times to help some one who is dying and suffering

These things bring us the name *Good Christian*

*5) What are my Titles?*

Like Good Samaritan, Good Christian or Good Catholic, what are the title I have in my life 

What are the titles people call me? 

Good Actor

Good administrator

Good teacher 

Good musician

Good leader 

Good Person 

Good Mother

Good Father 

Good Friend 

Good Preacher 

Good Priest 

Good Sister

Good Player 

At least one Good Title we must have 

Above all these above titles should help us to acquire the title *Good  Christian*  *Good Catholic* or *Good fallower of Jesus*

*6) To Acquire good titles Hardwork is needed*

The Samaritan got the title *Good* after he did lots of good Work 

He sacrificed his time, resources, plans, took care of Him and did everything for him 

It was a tideous and difficult work. But he did it and become good Samaritan

The title good can't be purchased through money power. It can be acquire inky through the good works 

Good works need hardwork and sacrifice. 

Am I ready to work to acquire the title *Good Christian?*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*