GOSPEL THOUGHTS
*Ordinary Season : Twenty Seventh Week: Monday*
*Gospel : Luke 10: 25-37*
*First Reading : Galatians 1: 6-12*
*Responsorial Psalm : 111: 1-10*
*Are you going from Jerusalem to Jericho?*
*1) Why does Jesus mention the road from Jerusalem to Jericho?*
The road from Jerusalem to Jericho involved a steep descent from the hill country around Jerusalem toward the lower Jordan Valley. It passed through rugged, relatively isolated terrain.
So when Jesus says that a man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho, His listeners could imagine a difficult journey in which a traveller could become vulnerable.
But Jesus is doing something more than describing geography.
He is placing the story on a dangerous road so that the question of the lawyer—“Who is my neighbour?”—becomes practical.
The real question becomes: “When I meet a wounded person on my way, what will I do?”
*2) Jerusalem to Jericho can become a symbol of the “ways” of our life*
The road can help us think about our own journey. Every day we are travelling somewhere.
We travel:
from home to work,
from work to home,
from one relationship to another,
from one responsibility to another,
from childhood to adulthood,
from success to failure,
from suffering to hope.
And along our journey we meet people.
Some need: encouragement, forgiveness, financial help, emotional support, friendship, protection, or simply someone who will listen.
Therefore, the important question is not only: “Where am I going?” but: “Who am I meeting on the way?”
*3) “Going down” can have a spiritual meaning*
Luke deliberately says that the man was “going down” from Jerusalem to Jericho.
Jerusalem represents the holy city, associated with the Temple and worship. Jericho lies much lower.
This gives us an interesting spiritual reflection:
A person can go down geographically without going down spiritually—but sometimes our life also has a “downward journey.”
We can move:
from faith to indifference,
from generosity to selfishness,
from love to resentment,
from forgiveness to revenge,
from prayer to neglect,
from humility to pride.
The journey downward may happen gradually.
Nobody wakes up one morning and suddenly becomes completely selfish or unforgiving.
Often there is a small step first. Then another. Then another.
We need to notice the direction in which our life is travelling.
Am I going upward in love, patience and faith?
Or am I slowly going downward into anger, selfishness and indifference?
*4) Are we required to be careful about this “way”?*
Yes—but not simply because the geographical road was dangerous.
Jesus is inviting us to be careful about the roads we choose in life.
There are roads that can lead us toward: compassion, truth, holiness, service, reconciliation.
But there are also roads that can lead us toward: greed, hatred, addiction, revenge, corruption, selfishness.
The danger is that some wrong roads initially look attractive.
A shortcut may look easier.
A dishonest decision may appear profitable.
Taking revenge may feel satisfying.
Ignoring someone may seem convenient.
But every choice takes us somewhere.
A beautiful question: “Where will this road eventually take me?”
*5) The dangerous road is not always outside us*
The robbers are outside the wounded man.
But there can also be dangerous roads inside our hearts.
A person may never physically rob another person, but may rob others of: dignity, peace, reputation, opportunities, confidence, forgiveness.
A harsh word can wound someone.
A false accusation can destroy someone's reputation.
Jealousy can damage a friendship.
Gossip can become a form of violence.
Indifference can allow another person's suffering to continue.
Therefore, the question is not only: “Am I travelling on a dangerous road?” but also: “Am I becoming dangerous to the people travelling with me?”
*6) The wounded man represents people we meet on our journey*
The man who falls among robbers becomes the centre of the story.
Notice something important: Jesus does not tell us his name.
He does not tell us his nationality.
He does not tell us his religion.
He does not tell us whether he deserved help.
He simply says that he was wounded and in need.
The Samaritan does not first ask: “Who are you?” He sees: “You are suffering.” That is enough.
This is one of the deepest lessons of the parable.
Compassion begins where labels end.
Before asking:
What religion does he belong to?
What community is he from?
Is he my friend?
Did he help me before?
Does he deserve my help? Tthe Samaritan sees a human being in need.
*7) Are you going from Jerusalem to Jericho?” becomes a question for us*
Imagine Jesus asking each of us: “Where are you going?” Perhaps we answer:
“I am going to work.”
“I am going to church.”
“I am going home.”
“I am going to meet someone.”
But Jesus may ask another question: “Who will you meet on your way?”
There may be someone who needs your patience today.
Someone who needs a phone call.
Someone who needs forgiveness.
Someone who needs financial assistance.
Someone who simply needs you to listen.
The destination is important. But sometimes the person God places beside us on the road is more important than the destination we are trying to reach.
*8) The road tests our spirituality*
The priest and Levite were religious people. They knew the Law. They served in religious contexts.
But the wounded man became a test of whether their religious knowledge had become compassion.
This is a powerful examination of conscience.
We can: attend Mass, pray the Rosary, read the Bible, attend retreats, participate in Church activities, and still fail to notice the suffering person beside us.
The Good Samaritan teaches: True worship must eventually become love of neighbour.
Our spirituality is tested not only inside the church but also on the road of daily life.
*9) We can be the Samaritan—or the wounded man*
Sometimes we are the Samaritan. We have enough strength to help someone.
But sometimes we are the wounded person lying beside the road.
We need someone to stop.
We need someone to listen.
We need someone to carry us.
We need someone to say: “I am here for you.”
Therefore, Christianity is not only about helping others.
It is also about allowing others to help us when we are wounded.
There is no shame in being the wounded traveller.
The important thing is not to remain alone on the road.
*10) What are the “robbers” of our modern world?*
The robbers in the parable attack the man and leave him half dead.
Today, people can be robbed without losing physical possessions.
What robs people of life today? addiction, loneliness, domestic violence, exploitation, poverty, discrimination, bullying, cyber abuse, hatred, unforgiveness, depression and despair.
Some people look perfectly healthy outside while being deeply wounded inside.
They may be sitting next to us in church.
They may work with us. They may live in our own house.
Do I know who is wounded on the road beside me?
*10) The road teaches us that love may be costly*
The Samaritan spends: his time, his oil, his wine, his animal, his money, and his attention.
Real love costs something.
Sometimes it costs: time.
Sometimes: money.
Sometimes: comfort.
Sometimes: our pride.
Sometimes: our plans.
Sometimes: our willingness to forgive.
If our love never costs us anything, we may need to ask whether it is really sacrificial love.
*11) The final question Jesus asks is not “Who is my neighbour?”*
The lawyer originally asks: “Who is my neighbour?”
Jesus turns the question around. At the end He asks:
“Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
This changes everything.
The question is no longer: “Who qualifies to be my neighbour?”
It becomes: “To whom can I become a neighbour?”
That is the heart of the Gospel.
We do not wait for people to become our neighbours.
We become neighbours through love.
“On the road of my life, am I only trying to reach my destination, or am I also noticing the people God has placed along my way?”
“Who is the wounded person on my road whom I am being invited to help today?”
*Think about it*
*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*
*Fr Maxim DSouza*
*Jeppu Seminary*
*Mangalore*
No comments:
Post a Comment