Sunday Gospel Reflection
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Luke 10:25-37 | July 10, 2022
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Josie Gonzales
A teacher of the Law…asked, “Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “What do the Scriptures say?”
The man answered, “…and ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ”
“You are right,” Jesus replied, “do this and you will live.” But the teacher of the Law wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
“Who is my neighbor?”, was a question asked by a teacher of the Law to test Jesus.
Jesus was constantly asked questions to test His divinity and He would use parables or stories so people would understand the Word of God.
Today’s Gospel talks about the Parable of the Good Samaritan, who helped a man who was robbed, beaten, and left by the roadside half dead. A priest and a Levite, both authorities of the Law during those times, ignored the beaten man but the Samaritan took pity on him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them. He put the man on his animal and took him to an inn where he took care of him.
Sa kwentong ito, ang tanong ng Panginoon ay sino sa priest, sa Levite at sa Samaritan ang nagpakita ng pagmamahal, compassion, at kindness sa taong ninakawan at sinaktan?
Sino ang marunong na makipagkapwa? Who is my neighbor?
Sabi ng Panginoon, “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Kaya ba natin ito? Magnilay-nilay tayo.
Sa mundong ginagalawan natin, tayo ba ang “good Samaritan” na tumutulong sa naaapi, sa nangangailangan, sa kapus-palad? Or are we the “priest” or the “Levite” who looks the other way and ignores the poor man? Yes, just like authorities in society who forget the real value and true meaning of compassion and love, kindness and benevolence, generosity and thanksgiving—values that they, as teachers of the Law, should uphold and practice?
Alin ba ang mas madaling sundin? Maging “good Samaritan” at gawin ang tama or follow leaders who forget the rule of law? Feel entitled? Privileged?
Which of the two will bring us eternal life?
Let’s live good and live God…always.
Our earthly life is but a test of our faith and trust in the Lord. Hindi naman tayo pinangakuan ng Diyos ng paradise sa lupa. We fall and stumble, but we rise again knowing that the Lord is with us all the time, not an hour, a minute, or a second short.
The Almighty God is a God of surprises. Sometimes, He speaks by saying nothing and as I write this reflection, I am awed that the Lord has still said nothing to a special prayer for healing. But, I don’t quit. The Lord answers in His perfect time. The journey may be long and dark, and it never stops until we meet Him in heaven—when we are at peace with ourselves, when we fear no more knowing that He is in control, when we fully trust the Lord in all his wisdom because He will pick us up and carry us through. A divine promise to all the ‘good Samaritans’ who seek eternal salvation.
Let us be a “good Samaritan” to our neighbor. The Almighty will do the rest.
Ang talinhaga o parabula ay tungkol sa kabutihan—pagiging mabuti sa kapwa, kaibigan man o kaaway.
Ang pagmamahal ay walang pinipili. Love is universal and unconditional, and our Heavenly Father is our greatest Love, full of compassion, kindness, and generosity.
We often hear people say, “that person is full of love…she is so kind and generous…matulungin…goes out of her way to help kahit nangangailangan din siya…isusubo na lang, ibinigay pa sa anak…tinulungan ang Lola tumawid…”, to refer to that person who is just like the good Samaritan.
Ano ang experience natin sa ating kapwa? Are we the “neighbors” Jesus desires us to be? Have we encountered the ‘good Samaritan’ in our life? Do we see them in our family, at our workplace, in the neighborhood, among friends, and in our place of worship? Then, ask the question, “Who is my neighbor?”
I pause to think that “neighbors” are aplenty. I want to believe that there are many of them good neighbors. I meet them every day—in my own household, in the workplace, among delivery riders, the street sweeper outside our gate, the next-door sari-sari store owner, Fr. JC and Kuya Billy, Rose (my dearest angel on earth), Ligaya, my dressmaker, and countless others Christ Jesus has generously shared with me in my life.
Now, here’s the catch: Am I their good neighbor? I am working hard to get there.
A blessed Sunday!
