September 20

Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

This is one of the 1st histories of the Bible we learn. It reminds us about mercy, charity, hospitality... Love among foreigners... It leads us to think about mankind...

We are so many, around 7 billion! God loves each one of us. We are very important on the same way to God!

You must balance the certainty that you are important to God and that others are importante too!

Why sometimes are we so cruel?

To show mercy and kindness goes beyond giving food, taking care of wounds...

Why do we ask God to be like Him and don´t react as He would do?

In the parable, Jesus used three different men to teach us.

Those three men were able to help the wounded man...

The priest

He was the mediator between people and God.  Almost a "saint"! But he did nothing. When Jesus came, He the perfect mediator, set us free to access God! And nowadays, all of us are priests. (See Revelation 1:5-6, 1 Peter 2:5)

The levite

Levites were the singers, the musicians, the guards, the bakers... All who werved in the temple or tabernacle. So, all of us are levites, because we are called to serve!

And the samaritan?

Samaritans and Jews were enemies. The first ones were considered unworthy. But Jesus used a Samaritan to teach us that "status" is not important!

The priest and the levite did nothing. And God expects from us faith, but faith together with acts.

Decide today to be kind, nice, to gift someone, to call someone instead of waiting for a call...

Decide to greet people wishing for real the grace and Peace of Jesus!

Decide to look like Jesus and act like Him!

Decide to love!

 

By Ana