Gospel
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.
There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’
But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands’ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’
(Luke 10:25–37)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- The priest and the Levite in this parable were religious professionals. They were on their way to perform their duties in the temple. If they had touched the wounded man, then they may have come into contact with blood; consequently, they would have become ritually unclean and unable to perform their duties. Their obsession with religious regulations blinded them to the even more fundamental commandment to love their neighbour.
- The denarius was a Roman silver coin equivalent to one day’s pay. The Samaritan’s action is extremely generous!
- The road from Jericho to Jerusalem was the normal route that people took when they were travelling to the holy city and the temple. Jericho was the usual crossing point of the River Jordan.
Exploring the Word
The parables that Jesus told were always designed to shock those who were listening. As modern listeners, we are shocked by the priest and Levite simply walking past the wounded man; however, this would not have been shocking to people who lived during Jesus’ time. These men had sacred duties to perform in the temple. If the man was dead, or even bleeding, and they came into contact with him, then they would not have been able to perform their obligations to God! The real shock to listeners in Jesus’ day was the Samaritan’s response. An enmity and suspicion existed between Jews and Samaritans that had lasted for centuries. Samaritans do not behave like that! To be so moved by compassion for the wounded man that the Samaritan bathes and dresses his wounds and pays for his further care is an outrageous scenario for the Jews to comprehend. This practical application of ‘love of neighbour’ is taken a step further when Jesus commands the lawyer to act in the same way as the Samaritan. This too would have been a shock!
- What are some modern ‘stereotyped’ images that we have of certain groups or people today?
- Explore some of the barriers that exist in our own society.
- How are we called to break down those barriers and build bridges instead?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- Ask yourself the fundamental question: what must I do to inherit eternal life?
- Who is your neighbour? Identify those who suffer today.
- 'Go, and do the same yourself.' What does this mean in our world?
- Share an experience in your life in which someone that you least expected helped you or attended to you. Has a perfect stranger ever helped you? Share your stories. Alternatively, share an experience in which you were moved by compassion and responded positively.
- Respond with generosity to someone in need this week. Donate to an agency who works with the poor or needy. Better still, become involved in that work.
- A verse from today’s psalm is a suitable prayer for this week:
This is my prayer to you, my prayer for your favour.
In your great love answer me, O God,
with your help that never fails:
Lord, answer, for your love is kind;
in your compassion, turn towards me.
Sharing the tradition
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
The story of St Francis and his life-changing encounter with the leper is just one in the Church’s treasury of stories that involve an unselfish love of neighbour. Other examples of such stories include those of Damien of Molokai and of St Martin and the beggar.
- Explore some of these stories of selfless giving.
- Are there people in your parish who work tirelessly for the disadvantaged? Arrange for them to share their stories.
One of Pope John Paul II’s greatest contributions during his papacy was his constant call to engage in interreligious dialogue to break down barriers and build bridges between all peoples of the human family. Pope Francis shares this commitment to interreligious dialogue, as he encourages us to pray that ‘sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice’ (video prayer message, 8 January 2016). What does this mean? The response to certain events such as the Christchurch mosque attacks of 2019 may offer some insights into what can be achieved through mutual respect and dialogue.
- Explore some of the Church’s initiatives in this area—such as the ecumenical World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
- You could gather information from the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Christian Unity and Inter-religious Dialogue regarding local initiatives that aim to build relations with other people of faith.
Symbols and images
There is a timelessness in the parable told in this text. The pathos of the injured man urges us all to come to the aid of wounded humanity. We are asked to respond compassionately and generously to those in need. We are called to more deeply understand what faith in the God of life truly demands rather than rest in simple adherence to ritual obligation.
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- How does your community help break down barriers between peoples and faiths? Are there ways in which catechumens can become involved?
- This might be an appropriate time for an anointing of the catechumens given in the RCIA at §101. Use a phial of oil as a focus. Talk about how the Samaritan used oil for healing. Adapt the prayer to reflect today’s gospel. Pray for each other and for all those who care for the needy. An appropriate song could be The Servant Song (GA 487).