Have a Heart Like the Good Samaritan

Reflections

Eldho Augustine csc –

Readings: Deut 30: 10-14; Col 1: 15-20; Lk 10: 25-37

The Gospel passage of the day invites us to extend our helping hands to those who are in need. I should become a good neighbor to those in need. Through this passage we come to know about three kinds of people with different mentalities and attitudes.

First, Robber’s mindset: – ‘what is yours is mine. I will grab it by all means.’

Second, the priest and the Levites: – ‘what is mine is mine. I won’t share it with you in any way.’ These categories of people become selfcentered, selfish and not bothered about anybody’s life.

Thirdly the Samaritan: – ‘what is mine is yours.’ When a person thinks like the Samaritan, we can build a better society. The Samaritan in a way portrays the merciful love of the Father. The Samaritan observed the need of the other and he responded in action.

Sometimes, our response to the needs of the society is confined to preaching and instructions. We are invited to be like the good Samaritan who went beyond his way to help the one in need and to show mercy in action.

We need to become aware that we are created in the image and likeness of God and we are bound to take care of others who are in need. Let us pray that we may have the heart like that of the good Samaritan to be generous in spending whatever we have and go beyond boundaries in the society.