“And who is my neighbor” Luke 10:29.

This question of the scholar of the law lines up with Peter’s question: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him. As many as seven times” (Mt 18:21)? Both the scholar and Peter knew the letter of the law, but sought justification in following a minimalist approach to putting the law into practice. Jesus invites us to a deeper appreciation of the purpose of the law of God and that is to uphold the dignity of the person. Laws can be certainly unjust, and a mere following of the law for the law’s sake can wreak havoc .

Jesus made this point when he was challenged for even thinking that he would heal someone on the Sabbath when he said: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mk 2:27). Time and again Jesus is calling us to have the courage to resist keeping others at arm’s length. He is calling us to risk assuming a stance of understanding, taking time to listen and be present to, as well as accompany those we encounter. The Samaritan did just that. The Jericho road was known for attacks just as the one suffered by the man who was left for dead. The priest and Levite may not have stopped to help because they might have thought the man was faking, or in the time they took to care for the man those that harmed him could have returned to abuse them. We don’t know the reason they continued on, what we do know is that they did not stop to help, but the Samaritan did.

When Jesus asked who was the neighbor to the man robbed and beaten, the scholar said, “The one who treated him with mercy.” The scholar could not bring himself to say the Samaritan, as the Jews and Samaritans had a long standing agreement of mutual loathing. Just remember a few days back when we read how Jesus sought hospitality from a Samaritan home, did not receive the invitation, and James and John were quick to implore God to send fire to destroy them.

Before we discuss amongst ourselves life’s issues or implore our lawmakers to enact policies, and the topics of the unborn, people on death row, Syrian refugees, immigrants and refugees who have fled from violence and drug wars from Mexico and Central America seeking hope and a better life, children who have made a life here and this is the only home they know, oil corporations seeking to lay pipe lines that threaten clean water resources and disregarding indigenous people’s rights, opening up dialogue with the LGBT community who have felt like they have been treated like dirt by members of the Church, and people of color who have been humiliated, profiled, and lost their life for nothing other than the color of their skin, we may want to read the parable of the Good Samaritan again, slowly and prayerfully.

In speaking to the US Bishops in his 2015 visit Pope Francis said: “And yet we are promoters of the culture of encounter. We are living sacraments of the embrace between God’s riches and our poverty.” Many human beings feel demeaned, dehumanized, lost, and afraid in our country.  Those listed above are our neighbors. They are wounded and in need. Will we whip out the statutes and law code, wrap ourselves in the flag; will we, like the priest or the Levite just walk on the other side of the road, indifferent or afraid; will we dig in our heels and embrace our fear and prejudices; or will we have the courage to show forgiveness, mercy, compassion, and understanding and accompany them on their journey? The scholar said the neighbor was the one who showed mercy. Jesus’ response to him and us: “Go and do likewise.”

Let us join Pope Francis and the world this week. Pope Francis has invited all of us to participate in Share the Journey, a global campaign in support of migrants and refugees in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic Charities US (CCUSA), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS). The Share the Journey campaign aims to engage the Church and others who care about migrants and refugees, around the world and in the United States.

October 7-13 Week of Prayer and Action: Love Your Neighbor!

Link for Mass readings today:

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100917.cfm