Quotes below are from The Better Part, Meditation 187 on today’s Gospel (Lk 10:25-37).
The Gospel today included the story of a man robbed and beaten on the road to Jericho. Left in the ditch, the priest and the Levite passed him by, but the Samaritan had pity on him, and took him to the inn to be cared for. Jesus is the Good Samaritan to us, taking pity on our situations, “entrusting us to the innkeeper of the Church, who watches over our convalescence until He comes again.”
“Jesus: Life is short. It is so easy to forget that. It is so easy for you to get caught up in the stream of activities that seem so urgent but in fact are secondary. Your primary task, the mission I have given you, is to follow in my footsteps. Open your eyes and your heart to the people around you. See their needs and reach out to them as I have seen yours and reached out to you. If this is hard for you, if the stream of urgencies keeps sweeping you away, don’t worry. Keep contemplating my example, keep thinking of the love I have for you and all that I have done and still do for you. Little by little the weight of my love will give your stability, strength, and peace. My wisdom will be the balm that heals your anxiety.”
Today is the feast day of St. Faustina, whom Jesus appeared to and asked that she act to create a day dedicated to His Divine Mercy. Yesterday was the feast day of St. Francis. Both saints acted as the Good Samaritan, living simple lives, helping those in need. Sometimes that seems so hard for us, in part because we want to judge others: Why don’t they try harder to get out of their situation? Why should I help? “Don’t you have some friends or relatives who could help you?” But the Good Samaritan never asked those questions of ones in need. I was reminded this week that Mother Teresa of Calcutta also didn’t ask those questions either, to the ones she found in the gutter. She just loved them.
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