Caring for our neighbors/adults/refugees/all in need
The Good Samaritan
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise. Luke 10:29-37
I have always loved the good samaritan parable. It just screams of how Jesus wants us to live our lives. It’s the blueprint! My past career was in social work and I am very familiar with helping the disadvantaged. However, I must admit I sometimes have a bitter taste helping people because of my past job. I am now more prone to help the elderly or animals. I think God gives each of us certain gifts we are good at, and over the years those gifts can develop and change as we grow. If in your past you loved caring for the homeless but you feel now that’s not your calling and you want to help children, then go do that! It’s ok to take a different direction in serving others.
I often think of the scripture; Mt 25:40 “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me”. As long as you are serving someone in need of something, God is pleased. Whether it’s a stray animal, a sick child, a person who has no one in their life; God just wants you to care for all of humanity in whatever capacity works for you!
The good samaritan was able to physically care and donate money to this person in need. Maybe you can’t physically care for someone but you can donate money, then do that! Or maybe the opposite is true and you’re strapped for cash but you have a lot of time available to volunteer and care for someone in need, then use your gift for that!
I often think about Saint Mother Teresa and how she cared for everyone in need. I can’t imagine her ever being “angry” at anyone if they treated her badly in return, or being angry that they were put in the unfortunate circumstance they were in. I know she was human so she probably was at some point, but it just didn’t seem like her personality. She just simply served all out of love for God regardless of any situation. That is what we are called to do too sisters, in whatever way we are called by God.
Remember sisters
“A life not lived for others is not a life” - St Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
We are called to be our neighbors keepers and love one another. Now go be that good samaritan to others! :)
Question: In what capacity are you able to be a good samaritan in others lives? Are you able to donate money? Are you able to volunteer? Do you live by a refugee center you can help? Do you have an abundance of extra clothes or sheets you can donate? Can you foster a child? Can you save a stray animal on the road? There are plenty of opportunities all around to help someone in need!
To Jesus through Mary-Ally Hynes
